Presenting the findings from Angel Shark Project: Wales
IMPORTANCE OF WALES FOR ANGELSHARKS
The Critically Endangered Angelshark, once common across the western British Isles, is a rare species of shark that glides across the seabed with elongated fins.
After suffering widespread decline across its range over the last century, there have been an increasing number of sightings of this rare species along the Welsh coast in recent years, giving hope for it’s future.
WHAT ARE ANGELSHARKS
Angelsharks (Squatina squatina) are large, flat-bodied sharks that can reach 2.4m in length belonging to the angel shark family (Squatinidae), which rank as the second most threatened family of elasmobranchs (sharks, skates and rays) in the world. Angelsharks are normally found submerged in sandy habitats in coastal waters.
In Wales, Angelsharks are also known as monkfish or angel fish, and they are sometimes mistaken for a ray or mis-recorded as Anglerfish.
Check out at www.angelsharknetwork.com to understand major threats and conservation projects for the angel shark family across their range.
WALES ANGELSHARK ACTION PLAN
A strong network of NGOs, Government Agencies and Universities have worked together to build the Wales Angelshark Action Plan, providing a unique opportunity to better understand and safeguard this species in Welsh waters.
This Action Plan provides a priority list of Actions to be delivered over the next five years and by working together to deliver this Action Plan, we can move towards our Vision: a thriving population of Angelsharks in Wales.
KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR TAGGED ANGELSHARKS
Angel Shark Project: Wales have tagged the first Angelsharks in Wales with miniPAT satellite tags and ID tags to study movement of this rare species. The tagging was designed to ensure minimal impact to the shark and completed by trained personnel under license*. Data gathered will provide important information for Angelsharks in Wales and works towards delivering priority actions of the Wales Angelshark Action Plan, launched in August 2020.
We need your help:
- If you accidentally encounter a tagged shark, we ask that you do not remove the tags and follow our best practice guide to safely release the shark.
- Please record the ID numbers on the two tags and report your encounter to www.angelsharkproject.com/map or [email protected].
- The tag will release from the shark in 2022. If you find it on a beach, please collect it and email [email protected].
* The tagging procedure was conducted under an Animals (Scientific Procedure) Act Project Licence, authorised by the Home Office, and a Wildlife and Countryside Act (WCA) license granted by Natural Resources Wales (no. S089787/1).
THREE MAJOR PROJECT AREAS
FISHER ENGAGEMENT
Fishers in Wales are stewards of Angelshark conservation, providing vital data on current and historic encounters of this species. Targeted fishing of Angelsharks is illegal, but some are still accidentally encountered as bycatch and these records are vital.
In collaboration with fishers, we developed the best practice guidance to safely release Angelsharks if accidentally caught. It has information on how to handle and reduce impact on Angelsharks that are accidentally caught and where to report the capture.
We work closely with fishers across Wales through informal meetings, attending association events and via social media. Data shared will improve the understanding of the population of Angelsharks in Welsh waters and in turn contribute to safeguarding the species.





HISTORY OF ANGELS
Angelsharks are still rare in Wales, so we need your help to discover the story of this shark and its Welsh connection! You can help the project by sharing your Angelshark stories, memories or photos with the team.
Download the Angels of Wales eBook – an interactive book designed for school children aged 7 to 11 to find out more about the history of Angelsharks and maritime heritage off the Welsh coast.
We will be sharing the Angels of Wales eBook with schools and museums across Wales in 2021 – get in contact [email protected] if you would like your school to be involved.





ENVIRONMENTAL DNA
Angelsharks are a cryptic species, which can make locating them extremely difficult, especially in deep or murky waters. As angelsharks interact with their environment, they naturally shed DNA into the surrounding waters.
As this DNA persists for a period of time in the water, we can sample these waters at various coastal locations to collect, sequence and identify this DNA to find out if angelsharks remain in these waters year-round – without having to physically see or catch these sharks.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED
Follow guidelines
It is illegal to target Angelsharks, but if you accidentally catch one when fishing follow our best practice guide to release it in a good condition.
Divers and snorkellers who are fortunate enough to encounter an Angelshark in the water, should at all times follow the Angelshark Code of Conduct.
Report Sightings
Information from you will help us to better understand the ecology of Angelsharks in the waters around Wales. We encourage anyone with historic, current and future records of Angelsharks in Wales to report their data.
Sightings can be uploaded directly to the Angel Shark sightings map
eBook
The interactive book is designed for school children aged 7 to 11 which reveals more about the history of Angelsharks and maritime heritage off the Welsh coast.
The eBook fits the Curriculum for Wales 2022, download the teachers resource pack to see how the eBook can be used within the classroom.
Social media
Keep an eye out on our social media pages for upcoming events and opportunities to learn more about Angelsharks in Welsh waters.
HOW ARE ANGELSHARKS PROTECTED IN WALES