Critically endangered Angelshark spotted off Welsh coast

One of the world’s most endangered species of shark could be living off the coast of Wales, according to scientists.

Rare Angelsharks have been seen in Cardigan Bay, the Bristol Channel and to the north of Holyhead, according to marine biologist Joanna Barker.

The huge creatures were once common across the east Atlantic and Mediterranean seas, but numbers declined because of habitat disturbance, pollution and incidental catch in fisheries.

They are now only found near the Canary Islands, but the recent spate of sightings has suggested they could be living near Wales.

Ms Barker, who works for the Zoological Society of London, is working with Natural Resources Wales to collate stories and photographs for the first Angelshark History Roadshow.

It will travel across Wales to highlight the importance of the animal and seek information from local communities to better understand the species.

Ms Barker, Angelshark Project Manager at ZSL said: “We are asking people across Wales to help us understand more about this important shark’s historic range and its Welsh cultural connection.

“Someone might have an old photograph in the drawer, a memory of their grandfather fishing or possibly even be able to tell us about a recent sighting of an Angelshark.

“Even if people haven’t ever heard of an Angelshark, we’d love them to come along and tell us about the local area – changes in local industry, fishing practices or infrastructure could all help us to fill in the blanks of the Angelshark’s history and create the best plan of action to safeguard them into the future.”

The Angelshark is a ‘flat shark’ which spends its time camouflaged on the bottom of the seabed.

Dives are planned for later in the year, to look for direct evidence of the sharks.