Angling
RESPONSIBLE SHARK ANGLING
The Shark Trust has long supported recreational sea-angling provided the activity is carried out by experienced operators working to high handling standards to ensure the maximum chance of survival for released animals. This collaboration has included producing best practice handling guides for sharks and rays, tagging projects, and the recording of catches from around the UK. The Trust recognises that UK shark anglers have a long tradition and culture of catch and release, and that they acknowledge the need for conservation of this endangered group of animals.
Depending on where you’re fishing, around 20 species of shark, skate and ray might be encountered by sea-anglers in the UK and Ireland. The aim of our work is to ensure this fantastic diversity remains for future generations of anglers.
FOLLOW 'BEST PRACTICE' GUIDELINES
While ‘catch and release’ has long been the ethos for shark anglers, new research is revealing concerning rates of post-release mortality for a number of species. This is due to internal and external injuries, as well as physiological stress which can occur when a shark, skate or ray is played, handled and released.
Minimise the likelihood of injuring these magnificent animals - follow ‘best practice’ guidelines:
THE BIG PICTURE
If you’re planning a shark fishing trip it makes sense to consider the ‘big picture’: which shark are you going to target? Is it a threatened species? Could you be fishing during a particularly important time in their lifecycle e.g. when females are pregnant or pupping? If so, consider shifting your sights to another species or location.
Using the Porbeagle as an example, in the North Atlantic, male and female sharks mature at 8 and 13 years respectively, with a life expectancy of up to 26 years. Add to this the relatively low reproductive rates exhibited by all sharks, skates and rays, and it goes without saying that depleted shark populations can take a long time to recover – considerably longer than bony fish such as cod and mackerel.
When a species has been declared ‘Critically Endangered’ (according to the IUCN Red List www.iucnredlist.org) the Trust believes it should not be targeted by any group, either commercial or angling, as any catching of these animals can result in mortality and thus exert further pressure on the population. Currently listed as ‘Critically Endangered’ in the Northeast Atlantic are the Porbeagle, Spurdog, Common Skate, Angelshark and White Skate.
However the Trust recognises the need for population monitoring, and believes that if angling is carried out in a responsible manner, it can provide a valuable mechanism in this respect. Anglers targeting ‘Critically Endangered’ species should be experienced, or be under the supervision of an experienced skipper, and best practice catch and release procedures should be followed including accurate recording of catches to provide a valuable dataset. The appropriateness of these activities must be judged on their own merits.
This statement is intended to be used in its entirety; as such any part taken out of context is not necessarily representative of the views of the Shark Trust.
PORBEAGLE SHARKS: Avoid targeting this Critically Endangered species between April-August as pregnant females are moving through British waters.
THRESHER SHARKS: Avoid targeting adult females between March-June as they could be carrying pups. Where possible, also avoid tail-hooking Threshers as they exhaust quickly.
