Angel Sharks

CHAMPIONING SOME OF THE OCEAN'S MOST VULNERABLE SPECIES

---

ABOUT ANGEL SHARKS

Angel sharks* are large, flat-bodied, bottom dwelling species. As ambush predators, they lie in wait for unsuspecting prey (particularly flatfish) to swim past. There are now at least 23 species of angel shark making up the family Squatinidae – which is amongst the most threatened families of elasmobranchs (after sawfishes, wedgefishes and giant guitarfishes).

The habitat preference of angel sharks leaves them particularly vulnerable to fishing and habitat degradation. As a result, many species have suffered steep population declines and now face a high risk of extinction. More than half of these species are now listed in a threat category: 8 Critically Endangered, 4 Endangered, 1 Vulnerable with the other listed as follows: 3 Near Threatened, 5 Least Concern, 1 Data Deficient, 1 Not Evaluated on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

*angel shark vs Angelshark:
‘angel shark’ (as two words) refers to multiple species in the family Squatinidae
‘Angelshark’ (as one word) is used within species common names.

ANGEL SHARK CONSERVATION

We’ve been working to better protect angel sharks for over a decade now. We helped first secure protection for the Angelshark (Squatina squatina) in England and Wales in 2008 under the Wildlife and Countryside Act and then under the Scottish Elasmobranch Protection Order. In terms of conservation planning, we co-authored the Angelshark Action Plan for the Canary Islands, led on the development of the Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean Angel Shark Conservation Strategy and now are leading on the Mediterranean Angel Sharks: Regional Action Plan. We’re also on the Steering Group for the Angel Shark Project: Wales, an exciting new project working through fisher-participation, heritage, and citizen science.

The Angelshark is now protected across much of its current range. It’s listed as a Prohibited Species under the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) as well as receiving domestic protection in a number of countries. Regulations do exist for management and protection of all three Mediterranean species - Sawback Angelshark (S. aculeata), Smoothback Angelshark (S. oculata), and Angelshark (S. squatina) - however not all are implemented. This is our current focus.

Click on the drop down menus below to find out more about our work on angel sharks.

---

Funded By:

---

Banner image © Tom Young