Conservationists and fishers may have identified a ray of hope for critically endangered angelsharks in Wales – the species may be declining less than previously thought.
In a new study published in People & Nature, researchers from Zoological Society of London (ZSL), Natural Resources Wales (NRW) and Welsh fishing organisations have shown that previous suggestions of a 70% decline of angelsharks (Squatina squatina) in Wales might be overestimated.
These previous figures were based on fishers encountering the elusive sharks, but the drop may actually be due to changes to the Welsh fishing sector that make the two less likely to be put into each other's path. For example, there is now less overlap between angelshark habitats and fishing areas.
“This finding offers hope for this Critically Endangered native species," says Francesca Mason, lead author and ZSL researcher at the Institute of Zoology’s Ocean Predator Lab. "Although once widespread in waters around the British Isles, this charming yet shy shark is now a rare sight.”
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Both conservationists and fishers are pleased by the news. “I’ve spent over 50 years working along the Welsh coast, and over the years I've come to know these waters inside out,” says co-author Charlie Bartlett, who is also a charter fisher from Gwynedd. "Over the years I’ve been fortunate to encounter the species a number of times."
Bartlett contributes to Angel Shark Project: Wales by sharing records and pictures of his encounters with the elusive species. “This information is not just important for the species itself but also inspires the next generations to learn more about fishing heritage in Wales and the local marine environment,” he says.
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Using DNA to find sharks
Angelsharks are elusive. They bury their speckled, sand-coloured bodies in the seafloor while waiting to ambush prey – making it difficult for scientists to observe them.
One way that researchers can keep track of whether these sharks are in Welsh waters – without even seeing them – is through environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis of the water. As animals swim along, they shed genetic material that researchers can detect in water samples.
"By studying eDNA in Cardigan and Carmarthen Bays, we’ve confirmed the presence of a range of native sharks, skates and rays – including angelsharks – in these more turbulent waters where other monitoring methods aren’t as effective," says Jake Davies, Technical Specialist for Project SIARC at ZSL and NRW.
"Fishers today may be less likely to come across angelsharks than they were 50 years ago, but through combining this technique with local knowledge, we can continue building a stronger picture of their status and distribution along the Welsh coast.”
Main image: angelshark in Cardigan Bay. Credit: Jake Davies JD Scuba Project SIARC
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