This area holds the regular presence of Highfin Dogfish as a resident range-restricted species. Between 1979–2023, fishing surveys (n = 1,789) were conducted across the Emperor Seamount Chain (Volvenko 2014, 2015; IV Volvenko & AM Orlov unpubl. data 2025). Surveys were conducted every year except for the periods 1989–1992, 1994–2005, and 2007–2008 (surveys were conducted in different months across years). Fishing gear consisted of midwater trawls and benthic trawls at depths between 0–1,200 m and 160–1,340 m, respectively. Trawl parameters were variable with haul time ranging <1–12 hours (mean = 1 hour); haul speed ranging 1.5–6.5 knots (mean = 3 knots); and horizontal trawl opening ranging 11–100 m (mean = 28 m). In addition to these trawl surveys, between 2014–2018, catch data from scientific observers on longliners were recorded (215–1,840 m depth; each line was 900 m long with 640 hooks, with 1–12 lines deployed and retrieved per day; IV Volvenko & AM Orlov unpubl. data 2025). Biological data on sharks and rays (length, number of individuals, and sex) were collected between 2009–2018.

During these surveys, 450 Highfin Dogfish were recorded in 19 tows/sets between 1971–2019, with 25 records (5.5%) originating from contemporary years (2019). This is the only area across the whole seamount chain where the species was recorded in contemporary years. Historical data also indicates that the second highest abundance of Highfin Dogfish was recorded in this area (average catch-per-unit-effort [CPUE] = 181.7 individuals/km²; max = 403.6 individuals/km²) after Jingu Guyot (CPUE outside the area = 71.1 individuals/km²; max = 232.9 individuals/km²). The species was recorded at depths of 450–1,200 m. Highfin Dogfish is endemic to the Emperor Seamount Chain and its distribution falls outside any Large Marine Ecosystem.