Dr Lucy Hawkes, an associate professor at the University of Exeter, is co-leading an innovative three-year research initiative focused on investigating the lives of three vulnerable shark species inhabiting British waters. The project, awarded nearly £1m by Natural England, represents a collaborative effort between the Marine Biological Association, the Angling Trust, and the Pat Smith Database. Hawkes has expressed particular enthusiasm for the porbeagle, noting its resemblance to a juvenile great white shark. "Surfers could see one and absolutely poop their pants, but they're not dangerous," she remarks, emphasizing the importance of dispelling misconceptions surrounding these misunderstood predators.
British waters support more than 40 shark species, ranging from diminutive catsharks and deepwater dogfish to the colossal filter-feeding basking shark. Migratory blue sharks traverse these waters seasonally, yet despite this remarkable diversity, scientific understanding of most species remains surprisingly limited. The research team will employ a multi-faceted approach, integrating historical catch records dating back to 1953, electronic tagging technology, and crowdsourced recreational sightings to elucidate feeding behaviors, reproductive patterns, and migration routes. Population dynamics will be monitored to inform prioritization of conservation measures.
The UK boasts approximately three million recreational anglers, representing an invaluable network of citizen scientists. Dr Francesco Garzon highlights that recreational shark fishing now operates exclusively under catch-and-release protocols, with anglers measuring live specimens before their safe return to the water. Despite lingering stigmatization, these fishermen demonstrate remarkable conservation consciousness. Direct commercial harvesting and incidental bycatch remain the most pressing threats to British shark populations. Through direct engagement with angling communities via workshops and interviews spanning from southwestern to northeastern England, researchers aim to leverage this collective expertise to achieve unprecedented insights into population distribution and temporal trends.