Our aim is to identify and study Angelshark nursery areas to secure protection of these important habitats. Our research includes investigating spatial distribution and habitat use of juvenile Angelsharks; population size and structure; reproductive behaviour; growth rates; and the impact of environmental variables.

Researchers, students and volunteers conduct regular surveys at these nursery areas to tag juvenile Angelsharks and re-capture any sharks that have been tagged previously. The recapture of juvenile sharks gives us important information on their biology in the first stages of their life. If you see a juvenile shark report it to the sightings map.

Las Teresitas in Tenerife is the very first confirmed Angelshark nursery area in the Canary Islands and where we focus a lot of research. It is a perfect laboratory thanks to the density of sharks and the great conditions of this beach to carry out our work. Find out more here.

Gathering Angelshark sightings from divers, fishers and other stakeholders is vital for all our science and conservation work – thank you everyone who takes part! The sightings map provides a quick an easy way to report your Angelshark sighting both in the Canary Islands and the rest of their range (East Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea). If you see a tagged Angelshark – please report the number and colour of the tag.

We use these data to identify key Angelshark habitats, understand Angelshark distribution and to answer basic ecological questions – we’ve written this up as a scientific paper and are planning other publications in the future.

If you’re a diver, and fortunate enough to encounter Angelsharks in the water, remember to follow the “Code of Conduct for diving with Angelsharks“:

CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR SIGHTING

Thank you to all the dive centers collaborating with us

Limited understanding of adult Angelshark habitat use, movement and site fidelity is a major factor preventing effective protection in the Canary Islands. We are working to understand Angelshark ecology through analysis of citizen science sightings, tagging and genetic analysis. Our aims of this research are to:

• Determine the seasonal distribution, aggregation sites and breeding patterns of the Angelshark across the Canary Islands.
• Assess the population abundance and structure in the Canary Islands and the rest of its range.
• Identify residency and movement patterns within and between islands via a cost-effective tagging program and genetic research.

This information will be used to guide conservation measures and future management strategies.

Angelsharks are a protected species (Listed as “In danger of extinction” in the Spanish Endangered Species List) and targeted fishing for them is illegal. Sometimes Angelsharks are still accidentally caught by both recreational, charter boat and commercial fishers.

Working with fishing communities is essential for the conservation of Angelsharks. Together we have developed a best practice guide to safely release Angelsharks accidentally caught, so that they are the best condition possible when released.

As well as following best practice guidance, fishers and charter boat clients have provided important information that makes an important contribution to our research. Check out results of 2019 questionnaires (English | Español).

Charter boats collaborating with us:

• Tenerife: RodFather, Happy Hooker, White Tuna, Gavin Glen, Yate Sofia, Crested Wave, No Limit, Punta Umbria V, Tambo Fishing.
• Gran Canaria: Blue Marlin, El Dorado, White Marlin, Fish On, New Felusi.
• Fuerteventura: Big game Fising, Barracuda, Corralejo Charter, Albakora Cat, Yellowfin, Macaronesia fishing adventures, Fuerte Fishing, Albakora.
• Lanzarote: Mizu Sport and Red Tuna.