**Exceptional Sighting: Endangered Angelshark Filmed in Cardigan Bay**
A team of conservationists and marine researchers has made a remarkable discovery in the waters off the Welsh coast, as one of the planet’s most endangered sharks was recorded by underwater cameras in Cardigan Bay.
The elusive angelshark, a critically endangered species rarely seen in the wild, was recently captured on film by the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales (WTSWW). This event is seen as a significant milestone for marine conservation, highlighting the delicate balance of life found beneath Welsh waters.
Angelsharks possess a flat, broad body that can reach up to 2.4 metres in length. Famed for their mastery of disguise, these creatures dwell close to the seabed where they can seamlessly blend into sandy environments. This clever camouflage allows them to ambush prey such as flatfish, crustaceans, and molluscs. However, their way of life makes them exceptionally vulnerable to fishing activities, particularly destructive practices like bottom trawling, which disturbs the ocean floor.
The appearance of the angelshark in Cardigan Bay holds added importance, as the species has experienced dramatic declines across its range. Factors such as habitat degradation and unintentional capture in fishing nets have led to its classification as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). With the sharks’ typically slow reproductive rates, any threat to their wellbeing poses a significant risk to their survival.
Researchers deployed Baited Underwater Remote Video Systems (BRUVS) in several locations across Cardigan Bay to monitor a variety of marine wildlife. Their project, known as the Dolphin Diet Detectives, is funded by the Welsh Government’s Nature Networks Fund. Although these cameras were primarily intended to investigate the diets of dolphins and overall marine biodiversity, they have also captured footage of a diverse array of sea life, from spider crabs to wrasse, and now, the extremely rare angelshark.
Dr Sarah Perry, the Marine Conservation and Research Manager at WTSWW, expressed her excitement over the recent discovery. “Recording an angelshark in Cardigan Bay is a rare and thrilling occurrence,” she commented. Dr Perry noted that prior to this, the last time such an encounter was documented in the area was in 2021, highlighting how uncommon these sightings have become. The timing is especially pertinent, as policymakers in Wales and the UK deliberate on further conservation measures, including potential bans on bottom trawling in marine protected areas (MPAs).
While Wales boasts 139 designated MPAs, conservation organisations remain concerned. Despite these protections, many habitats remain at risk from industrial-scale activities such as bottom trawling. This method of fishing, which involves dragging heavy nets and chains across the seabed, can devastate fragile ecosystems and threatens the survival of rare and sensitive species like the angelshark.
According to WTSWW, footage from their monitoring project serves as a clear reminder of the vital need to safeguard underwater environments. “These findings underline the urgency of introducing stronger protections for our most vulnerable habitats,” said Dr Perry. The ongoing UK Government public consultation into bottom trawling within MPAs offers hope that further regulatory action could soon be taken, aiming to secure the future of marine species at risk.
Initiatives such as the Dolphin Diet Detectives highlight the power of modern technology in uncovering hidden aspects of marine life and bringing attention to the often unseen struggles taking place beneath the waves. The angelshark’s brief appearance, caught by the lens, not only marks a moment of excitement for researchers but also signals the critical state of UK and global marine biodiversity.
As experts push for stronger conservation measures, the captivating footage from Cardigan Bay serves as both a triumph in research and a call to action — underscoring the irreplaceable value of Wales’ underwater habitats and the collective responsibility to protect them for future generations.