Shark population may be larger than thought

FEWER BEING CAUGHT, BUT EXPERTS BELIEVE THIS IS DUE TO A CHANGE IN FISHING METHODS RATHER THAN AN INDICATION OF DWINDLING NUMBERS

- By ANDREW FORGRAVE Countryside and Tourism Editor [e-mail]

AN enigmatic species of shark known to favour Welsh waters could be more abundant than previous suspected, scientists believe.

The angel shark, a large flat species resembling a stingray, has evolved very differently to other types of shark.

Previously only reliably spotted around the Canary Islands, catch evi dence from Welsh fishermen has shown that Cardigan Bay is also a stronghold for this elusive and vulnerable species.

The Welsh population had thought to be shrinking dramatically as a result of habitat damage and bycatch fishing, with one study indicating a 70% decline since 1970.

A major conservation project was launched in the hope of saving a species that lingers on the sea floor, half buried in sand and mud, waiting for prey to swim near them. They can grow up to 2.4m (8ft) long.

However a new study, People & Nature, from the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) and Natural Resources Wales (NRW) suggests previous angel shark counts were wide of the mark.

Its authors believe changes to commercial fishing practices have seen fewer angel sharks caught.

As the speckled, caramel-coloured sharks are masters of camouflage, finding them on the sea floor is virtually impossible.

Instead, evidence from boat captains is the only reliable way the population can be assessed.