Vama Veche is an important aggregation area for one shark species.

According to catches from benthic trawlers, Spiny Dogfish are present year–round in the area (Radu et al. 2013a). From April–June and October–November, individuals are found aggregating in nearshore parts of the area (10–50 m depths) while the rest of the year they occupy depths of 60–120 m (Radu et al. 2013a). Movements to nearshore areas seems to be related to reproductive processes. It has been reported that pregnant females move to the coastal zone to give birth during the spring and autumn, at depths between 10–30 m and temperatures between 12–18°C, while males remain at depths between 30–50 m (Radu & Miauta 2012; Radu et al. 2013a).

Between 2002–2005 and 2009–2019, all individuals caught in benthic trawlers, beam trawlers, and turbot gillnets were adults. Sizes (89–143 cm total length [TL]) were larger than the reported maturity size for the species (females 66–93 cm TL; males 52–64 cm TL; Ebert et al. 2021), with most sharks between 102–122 cm TL (Maximov et al. 2007; Radu & Miauta 2012; Radu et al. 2013a; Totoiu et al 2016; Galațchi et al. 2021; Ţiganov et al. 2021). The presence of these mature individuals confirms the contemporary occurrence of these aggregations after the reported decline in catches of the species as a result of population reductions (Radu et al. 2011, 2013a, 2013b; Ellis et al. 2016). Due to the characteristics of fishing gears, neonates are rarely caught in these fisheries (Radu et al. 2010, 2011, 2013a), but the rich habitat and species diversity found in the area may provide optimal locations for shelter and feeding of early life–stages (Niță et al. 2012, 2022; Nicolaev et al. 2018). In addition, recent monitoring has confirmed that juveniles are caught in the area (V. Niţă et al. pers. obs. 2023).

Large schools also aggregate in the area during winter at depths of 70–120 m. Previously, the area was reported as an important feeding area in the 1980s (Radu & Miauta 2012) where they were feeding on Whiting Merlangius merlangus, European Sprat Sprattus sprattus, and European Anchovy Engraulis encrasicolus aggregations that migrate to wintering grounds in the area (Radu & Miauta 2012; Radu et al. 2013a). These species are one of the most important fishing resources in Romania since the 1970s (Radu et al. 2010, 2011, 2013a; Nicolae et al. 2011; Totoiu et al 2016). However, there are no contemporary data confirming that feeding is still occurring. In 2019, Spiny Dogfish were bycatch of fishing operations targeting Whiting and European Sprat, indicating that prey are still abundant in the area and that Spiny Dogfish could feed on them during their aggregations (Tiganov et al. 2021). More evidence is needed to confirm the contemporary purpose of these aggregations.