Does the Shark Trust give talks? Expand We love meeting fellow shark enthusiasts and try to attend as many talks, outreach and educational events as possible. If you’d like us to attend an event or give a talk then please get in touch. We’re a small team based in Plymouth (UK), so unfortunately we can’t make every event but we’ll always try our best!
Can I use an image/illustration I've seen on your website? Expand Most of our images are kindly donated to us for Shark Trust use only. We don't own the copyright and so cannot grant permission for you to use them. Or provide you with high resolution files. To do this you'll need to contact the photographer or illustrator directly.Shark illustrations used in our ID Guides belong to Marc Dando, who can be contacted directly at www.wildlifeillustrator.com. If you'd like to use these for commercial purposes, a fee will usually be required.
Do you offer internships & work experience? Expand From time to time we offer in-house placements, but these are limited due to staff capacity and desk space. ► Click Here to find out more about our volunteering opportunities.
Press Releases 2020 Expand Canada Steps Up with Bid to Save Endangered Atlantic Mako Sharks Halifax, Nova Scotia. 16 October 2020. Endangered Atlantic Shortfin Mako Sharks are set to take center stage in the 2020 deliberations of the International Commission for Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), with Canada today proposing science-based catch limits that include a complete retention ban to protect the seriously overfished North Atlantic population. Download Press Release (Word Document) Canada Protects Endangered Mako Sharks with Groundbreaking Atlantic Ban Halifax, Nova Scotia. 22 April 2020. Canada announces groundbreaking move to protect Shortfin Mako in the Atlantic after a sustained campaign by the Shark League to follow the advice of ICCAT scientists. Download Press Release (Word Document)
Press Releases 2019 Expand EU and US Prevent Vital Protections for Endangered Mako Sharks Mallorca, Spain. November 25, 2019. Conservationists are shocked and distressed that the European Union and the United States – despite long promoting science-based shark conservation - were the main obstacles to the adoption of urgently needed protections for mako sharks at the annual meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). Download Press Release (Word Document) EU Holds the Cards for Endangered Atlantic Sharks London, November 2019. It’s make or break time for Shortfin Makos as Spain sets to host international fisheries meeting. Conservationists are focused on the European Union ahead of an international gathering of fishing nations that could make or break the future of Endangered mako sharks. Download Press Release (Word Document) 18 Shark & Ray Species Granted New Global Trade Controls at Wildlife Conference Geneva, Switzerland. August 28, 2019. Conservation groups are praising today’s confirmation that all species of Wedgefishes, Giant Guitarfishes, and Mako Sharks will be added to Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). Download Press Release (Word Document) Scientists Issue Grim Status Update on Atlantic Mako Sharks, Recommend Full Ban Conservationists put the spotlight on the EU for inaction and hypocrisy London, UK. 24 June 2019. A new report shows that the overfished North Atlantic Shortfin Mako Shark population is continuing to decline and needs not only immediate protection but several decades to recover. Download Press Release (Word Document) Full Protection for Angel Sharks in the Canary Islands Canary Islands, 06 June 2019. The Spanish Ministry of Ecological Transition has announced today that angel shark populations are fully protected in the Canary Islands, through inclusion on the Spanish Endangered Species List. Download Press Release (Word Document) - English | Spanish Landings of Endangered Rays in Tunisia Denounced London, UK. 09 April 2019. Conservation groups are calling for answers and action in relation to the landing of Endangered Giant Devil Rays in Kelibia, Tunisia, in contravention of international agreements to protect the species. Download Press Release (Word Document) Initiative launched to Avert Crisis for Critically Endangered Mediterranean Angel Sharks Tunis, 29 March 2019. Just five days after the IUCN reconfirmed all three species of Mediterranean angel sharks are Critically Endangered, regional and international experts gathered together in Tunisia. Download Press Release (pdf): English | French | Arabic
Press Releases 2018 Expand World’s Fastest Shark Headed for Disaster Dubrovnik, Croatia. November 19, 2018. Fishing nations gathered for the annual meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) have failed to address continued overfishing of mako sharks or strengthen the regional ban on shark finning. Download Press Release (pdf) Stronger Finning Ban Agreed for Mediterranean Sharks Rome, Italy. October 26, 2018. In a groundbreaking decision, fishing nations gathered for the annual meeting of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) have adopted an EU proposal to strengthen the regional ban on “finning” (slicing off a shark’s fins and discarding the body at sea). Download Press Release (Word Document) Targeting Arctic Shark Banned by North Atlantic Fishery Managers Tallinn, Estonia. September 21, 2018. Fishery managers have taken conservation action for the Greenland shark – the species thought to have the longest lifespan of any vertebrate. Download Press Release (Word Document) Turkey Takes Sweeping Action to Protect Endangered Sharks & Rays London, UK. April 20, 2018. A year after denouncing Turkey for the landing of 30 Endangered Giant Devil Rays, the Shark League is applauding the country for announcing protections for this and 13 other species of rays and sharks. Download Press Release (Word Document)
Press Releases 2017 Expand Shark Fishing Decisions at Atlantic Tuna Meeting Fall Short Marrakech, Morocco. November 21, 2017. Fishing nations gathered for the annual meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) have failed to adopt recommended limits to protect shortfin mako sharks from overfishing or strengthen the regional ban on shark finning. Download Press Release (Word Document) Scientists Report on Mako Shark Overfishing, Advise North Atlantic Ban London. 11 October 2017. Scientists associated with the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) today released their report on the status of Atlantic mako shark populations, revealing serious overfishing and depletion in the North Atlantic.shark finning. Download Press Release (Word Document) Endangered Devil Ray Landings in Turkey Denounced London, UK. March 15, 2017. Conservation groups are calling for answers and action in relation to the landing in Turkey of 30 Giant Devil Rays in contravention of Mediterranean agreements to protect the Endangered species. Download Press Release (Word Document)
Press Releases 2016 Expand Baby Step for Blue Sharks, New Voices Against Finning at Atlantic Tuna Meeting Vilamoura, Portugal. November 21, 2016. Fishing nations gathered for the annual meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) have taken a small yet unprecedented step toward establishing limits on blue shark catches from the North Atlantic, but failed to act on scientific advice to do the same for the South Atlantic. Download Press Release (Word Document) Conservationists Welcome Shark & Ray Listings at CITES CoP Johannesburg, October 4, 2016. Conservationists are delighted that CITES* Parties have officially listed devil rays, thresher sharks, and the silky shark under CITES Appendix II. The listing proposals were supported by more than the two-thirds majority required for adoption in Committee on Monday, and finalised today in Plenary. Download Press Release (pdf) Northwest Atlantic Fishing Countries Take Action for Sharks: Cuba & Norway Help US & EU Win Stronger Finning Ban Despite Japan’s Objection. Greenland Sharks Get Spotlight While Skates Remain At-Risk Varadero, Cuba. September 23, 2016. In a rare vote, the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) has adopted a proposal for a stronger shark finning ban by an overwhelming margin, despite objections from Japan. Download Press Release (Word Document) Angelsharks in the Canary Islands – the last hope for this Critically Endangered shark Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. June 23 2016. A major step toward securing the future of the Angelshark was taken this week. A multi-faceted group of divers, scientists and conservation organisations are working together with the Canary Island Government, National Government, and local and international shark experts to identify and address the major threats to Angelshark conservation. Download Press Release: English (pdf) | Spanish (Word Document) Here Today, Gone Tomorrow?Leading shark charity calls for Europe to embed a ‘culture of sustainability’ in shark fisheries March 18, 2016. On Good Friday, millions of Britons will witness the extraordinary sight of scores of sharks feeding off a floating whale carcass in UK waters. In ‘Britain’s Sharks’, the second part of a new prime-time ITV documentary, viewers will see Ben Fogle and Ellie Harrison come face to face with more than a hundred Blue Sharks that call British waters home for part of the year. Download Press Release (Word Document) Twenty-two Shark and Ray Species Added to Scope of Global Agreement San Jose, Costa Rica. February 19, 2016. Signatories to the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for Sharks have unanimously agreed to add twenty-two species of sharks and rays to the MoU scope, and to accept the applications of six conservation groups as Cooperating Partners in fulfilling MoU objectives. Download Press Release (Word Document)
ANGELSHARK ACTION PLAN FOR THE CANARY ISLANDS Expand The Angelshark was once common in the Northeast Atlantic, Mediterranean Sea, and Black Sea, but their range has drastically declined during the past century due to intensified fishing. Although there have been increased reports from Cardigan Bay (Wales) and occasional reports from across the Mediterranean, the Canary Islands is the only known location where they can be regularly encountered. We need to take action to ensure this population is protected.In 2016 we teamed up with the Angel Shark Project (a collaboration between Zoological Society of London, University of Las Palmas Gran Canaria, and Zoological Research Museum Alexander Koenig), the IUCN Shark Specialist Group, and Submon. Together we developed the Angelshark Action Plan for the Canary Islands (Barker et al., 2016) which outlines goals and objectives to meet the vision that Angelsharks in the Canary Islands are abundant and protected in their unique stronghold.This plan now forms the backbone of conservation action for this species around the Canary Islands.► Angelshark Action Plan for the Canary Islands (pdf): ENGLISH | SPANISH
EASTERN ATLANTIC & MEDITERRANEAN ANGEL SHARK CONSERVATION STRATEGY Expand There are three species of angel shark in the Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean: Angelshark (Squatina squatina) Sawback Angelshark (S. aculeata) Smoothback Angelshark (S. oculata) All three are Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Most information is known about the ecology, distribution, and decline of the Angelshark, with much less known about Sawback and Smoothback Angelsharks.The Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean Angel Shark Conservation Strategy (Gordon et al., 2017) was developed as a framework for improved protection of these three Critically Endangered species. It serves as a catalyst for action and strives to bring regional experts together to deliver the Strategy goals. The main aims are to: Improve the overall profile of angel sharks Increase the number of sightings reported Generate a better understanding of current distribution Contribute to IUCN Red List reassessments, and Identify new collaboration opportunities to increase conservation action. The vision of this Conservation Strategy is that: Angel sharks in the Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean are restored to robust populations and safeguarded throughout their range.We’re now actively pursuing the goals of this Strategy, particularly through implementation in the Mediterranean.► Eastern Atlantic & Mediterranean Angelshark Conservation Strategy (pdf): ENGLISH | FRENCH | SPANISH ► Extinction risk and conservation of critically endangered angel sharks in the Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea (review article in ICES Journal of Marine Science)
MEDITERRANEAN ANGEL SHARKS: REGIONAL ACTION PLAN Expand The Mediterranean is a risky place to be a shark. At least 50% of rays and 54% of sharks in this region face an elevated risk of extinction, including the three species of angel sharks. While measures do exist for the management of these species under the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM), not all are implemented. The Mediterranean Angel Sharks: Regional Action Plan is designed to focus efforts to help restore these enigmatic species to robust populations in the region. Development of the Action Plan was led by the Shark Trust and is a result of a major collaborative effort from organisations within the Angel Shark Conservation Network and across the Mediterranean. It acts as a call to action for stakeholders to work together to address the challenges faced by these Critically Endangered species.The Vision of the Action Plan is that: 'Mediterranean angel sharks are restored to robust populations fulfilling their ecological roles in healthy ecosystems', with Goals focusing on the following: GOAL 1 - Fisheries-based angel shark mortality is minimised in the Mediterranean GOAL 2 - Angel shark habitat is identified and protected UNDERLYING GOAL 3 - National legislation for angel sharks is established, implemented and enforced To allow a tailored approach in priority regions of the Mediterranean, SubRegional Action Plans (SubRAPs) are being developed to facilitate further coordinated action by engaging regional stakeholders, including governments and industry. The areas covered by each SubRAP relate to recognised Geographic Subareas (GSAs) established by the GFCM. ► Download the Regional Action Plan (pdf): ENGLISH | FRENCH | SPANISH | ARABIC ► SubRegional Action Plan for Aegean Sea & Crete (pdf): ENGLISH | GREEK | TURKISH ► SubRegional Action Plan for Northern Cyprus (pdf): ENGLISH | TURKISH ► SubRegional Action Plan for Republic of Cyprus (pdf): ENGLISH | CYPRIOT GREEK ► SubRegional Action Plan for Southern Ionian Sea (pdf): ENGLISH | ARABIC ► SubRegional Action Plan for Northern Levant Sea (pdf): ENGLISH | TURKISH ► SubRegional Action Plan for Central Mediterranean Sea (pdf): ENGLISH | FRENCH | ARABIC Do you have any information about angel sharks in the Mediterranean? If so, please get in touch.
ANGEL SHARK PROJECT: GREECE Expand The discovery of several records of angel sharks in the Cyclades and Dodecanese Islands indicated that these areas are potentially highly important for the three species of Mediterranean angel sharks. In light of this, the Mediterranean Angel Sharks: SubRegional Action Plan (SubRAP) GSAs 22/23 (the Aegean Sea and Crete) was developed in line with the Mediterranean Angel Sharks: Regional Action Plan, aiming to advance angel shark conservation in Greece. The Angel Shark Project: Greece was established as a collaborative project, it is led by iSea and supported by ULPGC, ZFMK, ZSL, and the Shark Trust. It has an overall aim to investigate the importance of the Greek side of the Aegean Sea for all three angel shark species present in the Mediterranean (Squatina aculeata, Squatina oculata, and Squatina squatina). Find out more: Angel Shark Project: Greece. Strengthening Angel Shark Conservation in the Southern Aegean Sea.
ANGEL SHARK PROJECT: WALES Expand Listed as Critically Endangered, Angelshark (Squatina squatina) numbers have declined rapidly over the past ~100 years across their range. They are now a Prohibited Species to commercial vessels fishing in EU waters. In addition, they have domestic protection in England and Wales, giving them full protection from other activities, including recreational fishing'.Angel Shark Project: Wales was launched by the Zoological Society of London and Natural Resources Wales in 2018. The Shark Trust is one of 15 partners which sit on the Steering Group. The aim of the project is to better understand and conserve Angelsharks in Welsh waters, through fisher-participation, heritage, and citizen-science. ► History of Angels interactive eBook (ENGLISH | WELSH)► Best Practice Guidance for fishers (ENGLISH | WELSH)► Wales Angelshark Action Plan (ENGLISH)
ANGEL SHARK CONSERVATION NETWORK (ASCN) Expand The Angel Shark Conservation Network (ASCN) was established to enable individuals and organisations working to protect angel sharks to stay connected. The success of the Conservation Strategy and Regional Action Plans is down to those working together towards the common Visions. Quarterly email bulletins provide updates on conservation activities from members. All interested parties are invited to join the ASCN and help to deliver the objectives laid out in each document. ► To join the ASCN, submit angel shark sightings and download extra resources, visit www.angelsharknetwork. ► Single Species Action Plan for the Angelshark in the Mediterranean Sea & CMS Decision 14.104 -Annex IV, Tools and Guidelines to Support Implementation
I’m looking for someone to fund my research project. Can you help? Expand As a small charity we rely on grant funding and donations. So i'm afraid we're not in a position to fund student research or external organisations. But we wish you all the best and hope you find alternative funding.
When & where are the best places to spot Basking Sharks in the UK? Expand Basking Shark season usually runs from May til late October. But sharks are anything but predictable! Hotspots include the southwest, the Isle of Man, the west coast of Scotland and the north of Ireland.► If you're thinking of taking a boat tour we recommend a WiSe accredited company. You can find out more at www.wisescheme.org.Basking Sharks are vulnerable to disturbance. But the WiSe scheme provides training and accreditation for operators. So, they know how best to view and interact with large marine wildlife. Ensuring a positive experience for both you and the shark. ► Remember to record your sightings on our Shark Database
Can I order some leaflets? Expand We're in the process of rebranding our materials, so we don't currently have any printed leaflets in stock. To reduce our carbon footprint we're also in the process of creating a range of digital leaflets, as well as an interactive display panel for aquariums, which we'll be launching soon. Please keep an eye on our website for updates. ► Click Here to download leaflets and posters from our Resources page
How do I update my membership details? Expand Please get in touch with us directly to let us know of any changes. Particularly if you change address, so we can ensure your Shark Focus magazine is sent to the right place.
Can I become a member or buy something from the shop if I live outside the UK? Expand Yes. We have members from all over the world and ship products worldwide. Yet postage costs and delivery times will vary depending on your location. COVID-19: Due to COVID-19 we’ve had to temporarily stop sending goods to locations outside the EU, as parcels weren't arriving. We’ll continue to monitor the situation and will resume worldwide shipping as soon as possible. Please keep an eye on our website for updates.
I'm a member, how do I login to my account or amend my monthly donation? Expand If you’re a Shark Trust member who’s created an account through Enthuse (previously Charity Checkout), you can log into your account at charitycheckout.co.uk/login.From here you can amend your monthly donations by cancelling your current schedule and setting up a new one.
How do shark adoptions work and how much do they cost? Expand Sharks are difficult to track because of where they live and the great distances they travel. So our adoptions work a little different to many others. Instead of adopting one individual shark, you'll be adopting many by helping to fund vital research projects and campaigns. All our adoptions are a one-off payment of £25 for the year. Although you can choose to make an extra donation by selecting a higher tier. ► Click Here, to find out more about all our adoptions.
If I adopt a shark will I be able to track their movements? Expand The sharks in our adoption programmes are not tagged, so you won't be able to track them. Our adoptions help to support various research projects that use non-invasive techniques and sightings data to discover more about the species. You can find out more about each research project or campaign by visiting our Adoption pages. From here you can also download the latest reports to discover the most recent findings.
INTERNATIONAL ANGEL SHARK DAY Expand In 2020 we celebrated the first ever International Angel Shark Day - we now celebrate it each year on the 26th June! Taking to social media, the 23 different species around the world are profiled, sharing facts, resources, and work from different researchers and conservationists around the world. Visit our YouTube channel to find out more and watch the talks from 2020 and 2021. 2020 talks 2021 talks Follow along on social media using #AngelSharkDay Discover Angel Sharks: ► Angel Sharks Poster (pdf) - showcasing all 23 described species of the angel shark family ► Colouring in sheets: Adult (pdf) | Kids (pdf) ► Read our Angel Sharks Creature Feature Blog
Do you have any job vacancies? Expand We advertise all our vacancies on our Jobs page and social media. So, we recommend checking this page regularly or following us on social media to keep up to date with any opportunities that arise.