What's happened
Scientists have been granted nearly £1m to study movement and breeding grounds of blue shark, porbeagle, and tope with tags, ultrasound, and angler workshops. Findings could update Red List guidance and improve survival rates for released sharks.
What's behind the headline?
Context and Approach
- The program combines modern tagging and ultrasound with traditional angler input to map routes, nurseries, and responses to capture.
- It aims to fill gaps left by limited observational data and drive evidence-based conservation updates.
Implications for policy and practice
- Updated England Red List assessments will reflect new distribution data, potentially altering protection status and guidance for catch-and-release practices.
- Partnerships with the Angling Trust and MBA could spawn broader stewardship across regional fishing communities.
Risks and uncertainties
- Tagging studies depend on angler cooperation and may be limited by funding timelines and weather exposure.
- Translating complex data into practical guidance will require careful synthesis for policymakers and stakeholders.
How we got here
Natural England’s Species Recovery Programme funds tracking and fieldwork to close knowledge gaps on distribution and abundance of endangered shark species around England, involving universities, anglers, and conservation groups.
Our analysis
BBC Devon reports on Natural England-funded research; quotes from University of Exeter researchers; Angling Trust collaboration details.
Go deeper
- What new data will change the Red List status?
- How will anglers adapt their practices based on findings?
- When will the first updates to guidelines be released?
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