Landings (as target or by catch) at the Malta fish market from 2004 until 2008 totaled over 435 individuals, caught by fishermen with bottom longlines as the common gear used. Statistics show that 73% of the landed species were caught between January and April, with a peak in landings between February and March. The following were also observed: female proportion significantly larger than that of males; size of females between 74 cm and 400 cm (mean body length of 270 cm, st.dev. 63.5 cm), males between 106 cm and 356cm (mean body length of 246 cm, st.dev. 39.1cm); specimens collected in this study were mostly juveniles, only one record of a new born; no gravid female obtained. The above observation may indicate various regional scenarios: 1) fishing methods target immature individuals, 2) mature individuals absent in Central Mediterranean, or 3) the population has been exploited in a way that only immature specimens are left (since individuals reach sexual maturity quite late in their life-cycle) (Ref. 95706) Also Ref. 247.