Angel Shark Conservation: The Vital Role of the Canary Islands 🇮🇨

Did you know that according to a global study, the angel shark family (_Squatinidae_) is the second most threatened group of sharks and rays in our oceans?

Angel sharks (Squatina squatina) were once a common sight across the Northeast Atlantic Ocean, as well as the Mediterranean and Black Seas. Today, they are nearly extinct due to an 80% decrease in their population over the past three generations. But in the Canary Islands, an archipelago in the North Atlantic, angel sharks still thrive, giving us hope that it's not too late to protect this unique shark species and save it from extinction.

Credit: Tony Glibert. Caption: The anterior lateral view of the face of an angel shark (Squatina squatina) off the coast of Punta Tiñosa, Lanzarote, Canary Islands.

Diving with Angels

Imagine this: it's a lovely morning in January on the beautiful island of Lanzarote, the sea is calm and the water is 19 degrees Celsius. You give your dive buddy a thumbs down and begin your descent into the crystal-clear waters just off the coast. As you dive a little deeper, you reach the seafloor and spot an angel shark resting gracefully on the sand, no more than 8 metres below the surface. Throughout your dive, you'll have the privilege of encountering four more of these majestic creatures.

This scene is not a dream, at least not yet. Lanzarote and the rest of the Canary Islands are known as the last hotspot and sanctuary for these sharks. Here, divers have the privilege of diving with angel sharks year-round, although they are more commonly spotted during the winter months when they come closer to the shore to mate.

Sadly, unless we take immediate action, the privilege of diving with these angels of the ocean might soon be lost.

An Uncertain Future

Angel sharks are a unique type of shark that spends most of their time on the seafloor. Unfortunately, this behaviour puts them at higher risk of becoming bycatch due to trawling. Apart from trawling, recreational fishing, habitat loss, water pollution, and the increasing number of people engaging in various forms of water activities also pose a threat to their survival.

The good news is that we can all help protect angel sharks. By implementing measures such as stricter regulations of fisheries and preserving natural habitats, we can make a positive impact on their survival. Even as divers and citizens, we can play a crucial role in conserving angel sharks and their homes.

Guardians of the Deep

If you own a dive centre or work as a dive instructor in the Canary Islands, it is important to brief your clients and students about the significance of angel sharks and the appropriate diver etiquette for every encounter. As a diver, you can contribute to tagging campaigns and counts that help scientists study and understand their behaviour. And even if you don't dive, you can still educate yourself and spread awareness.

Conclusion: A Call to Action

Do you want to help? A great place to start is the Angel Shark Conservation Network, an organisation doing an ocean of good for disseminating knowledge and awareness of angel sharks. You can browse a wealth of information on their site, sign up for the newsletter, and report sightings here. Whether it's by raising awareness, offering support, or simply practising responsible diving, let's make every dive count and do our best to keep our oceans healthy and thriving for future generations.