Wales is one of the only places in north-west Europe with regular sightings of the Critically Endangered Angelshark (Squatina squatina) over the last decade. This species is protected in Wales, through inclusion on both the ‘Wildlife and Countryside Act’ and ‘Environment (Wales) Act’ but little is known about its status, ecology or location of important habitats. A strong network of NGOs, Government Agencies and Universities have worked together to build the Wales Angelshark Action Plan providing a unique opportunity to better understand and safeguard this species in the Welsh Zone. Click here

The Action Plan is the culmination of two years’ extensive evidence gathering carried out as part of Angel Shark Project: Wales (ASP:W), a collaborative initiative led by Natural Resources Wales (NRW) and international conservation charity ZSL (Zoological Society of London). The Vision is to have a thriving population of Angelsharks in Wales with goals on habitat and environment, fisheries, communities, angelshark connectivity, and evidence gaps. Click here to read the Action Plan.

Since its launch in 2018, ASP:W has successfully brought together fishers, government bodies, NGOs and local people from across Wales, to build a clearer picture of where Angelsharks are found in Welsh waters and to understand their role in Wales’ maritime heritage.

Data gathered from community memories, historical research, fisher knowledge and citizen science surveys has been used to inform the Action Plan, which will be implemented over the next five years.

Joanna Barker, Senior Project Manager – Marine and Freshwater Conservation at ZSL, said: “The launch of this Action Plan is a vital step to safeguard the future of Angelsharks in Wales. This species has significant scientific and cultural importance to Wales and is listed as the fifth most Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered (EDGE) shark in the world, representing a distinct branch of the tree of life.”