Distribution dataset of chondrichthyan species occurring in French metropolitan waters and across the North-East Atlantic

Background: Chondrichthyans (chimaeras, sharks, skates and rays) are the most threatened vertebrate group in the marine environment. Currently, 106 species (7 chimaeras, 40 skates and rays, 59 sharks) of chondrichthyans are known to occur regularly or occasionally in metropolitan French waters. However, the distribution of these species remains poorly documented due to a lack of data. In this context, a comprehensive dataset was compiled to support the recently published Atlas des Chondrichtyens de France métropolitaine (Chondrichthyan Distribution Atlas within North-East Atlantic and French Mediterranean waters), aiming to provide an updated and standardised overview of their occurrence in French metropolitan and adjacent marine waters.

New information: This dataset compiles 177,042 events (e.g. fishing operations, transects, sightings) collected between 2003 and 2021 across the North-East Atlantic (Greater North Sea, Celtic Seas, Bay of Biscay and Iberian Coast) and Western Mediterranean Sea. These events comprise 169,519 occurrence records representing 86 chondrichthyan species (7 chimaeras, 35 skates and rays, 44 sharks). The dataset includes fisheries-dependent data, scientific survey data and citizen-science observations. Each record was carefully checked for taxonomic accuracy, geographical plausibility, depth, and biological (i.e. individual length) compliance with existing literature. French experts further reviewed the reliability of occurrences for the species within their taxonomic area of expertise. The dataset is publicly available through the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) and can be found under: https://doi.org/10.15468/xq94ag.