“Jaws” it ain’t – the Angelshark has more in common with the skate and ray but is now an endangered species.
The squat flat shark, appropriately named Squatina squatina, once lived in abundance on sandy and muddy seabed areas on the Irish coastline but is now confined to Tralee Bay, Co Kerry.
As Afloat reported previously, the critically endangered species is the focus of a research appeal.
Fishermen, coastal farmers, walkers and “passionate individuals” are being asked to report new sightings or past records of the Angelshark as part of a national research project which marine scientist Louise Overy spoke to Wavelengths about.
The aim is to develop an action plan which supports their recovery for future generations – a “community-led recovery”, Overy says.
A website is currently being developed, www.angelsharkproject.com and the Irish Elasmobranch Group can also be contacted on Facebook or by email at [email protected]
