In eastern Pacific from the Aleutian Islands south to northern Baja California, Mexico (Eschmeyer et al. 1983). Taken incidentally in driftnet and trawl catches off California; in 1986, Ebert (1986) reported that a longline fishery targeting sixgill sharks was conducted in Puget Sound, Washington, in the 1980s. A small recreational fishery for sixgill shark reportedly exists in Puget Sound (Camhi 1999). Occasionally taken incidentally with trawl or longline gear in Oregon (J. McCrae, ODFW, pers. commun.)