A new approach to collecting data on the Critically Endangered and elusive Angelshark around the Welsh coast has proven successful.

Crucial data, published in a paper on 05 July 2022, were primarily sourced by commercial, recreational and charter fishers across Wales and the Irish Sea in an approach co-designed by the fishing community and Angel Shark Project: Wales – a project led by Natural Resources Wales (NRW) and ZSL (Zoological Society of London).

Angelsharks are one of the most threatened families of shark, skate and ray in the world, and were thought by some to have disappeared from our coastline. The paper reveals new information about the species and how it uses coastal waters around Wales, confirming that there is still an important Angelshark population in Wales, which could be using the region for reproduction.

The data provides an important baseline understanding to support ongoing investigations of the species’ ecology and work towards a thriving population of Angelsharks in Wales.

Dr John O’Connor, Chairman of Angling Cymru and Angling Cymru Sea Anglers (formerly Welsh Federation of Sea Anglers) said:

“Before Angel Shark Project: Wales, there was nowhere for anglers and fishermen to record Angelshark catches. They are extremely keen to help with projects and share data with scientists to better understand the species around the Welsh coastline.

“Anglers in our association and charter boat skippers were so pleased that results were regularly fed back so they could see how their information was being used. It’s fantastic that fishers’ input has provided such insightful information – we’re looking forward to learning more about Angelsharks in the future”.

Angelsharks are particularly difficult to study due to their rarity and cryptic behaviour. They spend most of the time buried in soft sediment on the sea floor and are extremely well camouflaged, making them hard to spot in visual surveys.

The new records confirm that Angelsharks use shallow habitats around the coast of Wales, with most occurring within six nautical miles of the coast. The coastal area between Bardsey Island (Llŷn Peninsula) and Strumble Head (Northwest Pembrokeshire) had the most Angel shark sightings (1,279) with other notable concentrations in Carmarthen Bay, Conwy Bay, and the Outer Severn Estuary.  June, July, August and September were the most likely months to encounter them.

Further information on the project can be found here.