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One of world’s rarest sharks seen swimming in UK waters for first time

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A critically endangered species of shark is believed to be breeding in Welsh waters.

A young angel shark was spotted taking a dip in North Cardigan Bay this week – the first time one has ever been seen in UK waters.

One of the rarest sharks on the planet, the only spot they are regularly sighted is near the Canary Islands.

Experts claim the ‘incredible’ new footage proves the species is actively breeding and using waters in Wales to give birth.

Jake Davies, a photographer and marine biologist, said: ‘I’ve always kept an eye out for angel sharks during dives, having worked to better understand the species for the last four years.

‘I couldn’t believe it when I saw the angel shark, and what was really exciting was that it was a juvenile, just 30cm in length – providing further evidence that the species is giving birth in this area.

‘It was incredible to watch and film it swimming, burying into the sand and then using its camouflage to ambush prey.

‘This footage is far beyond what we thought would be possible to capture in Wales.’

Just 4% of angel shark sightings are juveniles so the encounter is ‘extremely important’, marine ecologist Ben Wray added.

The critically endangered angel sharkwhich was filmed in North Cardigan Bay, Wales by Jake Davies. See SWNS story SWNNshark. A diver has managed to film underwater footage of one of the world's rarest sharks off the coast of Wales. Filmed in North Cardigan Bay, this is the first time underwater photos and videos of the critically endangered angel shark have been taken in UK waters. And because it is a juvenile, researchers say this provides clear-cut evidence the species is actively breeding and using Welsh waters to give birth. The shark is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened species following a decline in their range over the last 50 years. Jake Davies, a photographer and marine biologist, said:
Angel sharks are believed to be giving birth in Welsh waters in an exciting turn of events (Picture: Jake Davies/JDScuba/SWNS)
The critically endangered angel sharkwhich was filmed in North Cardigan Bay, Wales by Jake Davies. See SWNS story SWNNshark. A diver has managed to film underwater footage of one of the world's rarest sharks off the coast of Wales. Filmed in North Cardigan Bay, this is the first time underwater photos and videos of the critically endangered angel shark have been taken in UK waters. And because it is a juvenile, researchers say this provides clear-cut evidence the species is actively breeding and using Welsh waters to give birth. The shark is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened species following a decline in their range over the last 50 years. Jake Davies, a photographer and marine biologist, said:
They are one of the rarest sharks on the planet (Picture: Jake Davies/JDScuba/SWNS)
Photographer and marine biologist Jake Davies. See SWNS story SWNNshark. A diver has managed to film underwater footage of one of the world's rarest sharks off the coast of Wales. Filmed in North Cardigan Bay, this is the first time underwater photos and videos of the critically endangered angel shark have been taken in UK waters. And because it is a juvenile, researchers say this provides clear-cut evidence the species is actively breeding and using Welsh waters to give birth. The shark is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened species following a decline in their range over the last 50 years. Jake Davies, a photographer and marine biologist, said:
Photographer and marine biologist Jake Davies said it was ‘incredible to watch and film’ (Picture: Jake Davies/JDScuba/SWNS)

The

vertebrates can grow to be 1.8 metres in length and 80kg in weight and usually prey on bony fish, skates and crustaceans.

They are listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened species following a dramatic decline in numbers over the last 50 years.

Angel sharks pose no threat to humans and it is an offence to target or disturb them in Wales.

The Angel Shark Project, which works with local communities and fishers to gather records, has celebrated the new footage.

Co-founder Joanna Barker said: ‘This footage supports our hypothesis that angel sharks give birth in waters around Wales.

‘The size (30cm) and white markings on the dorsal fin edges show the angel shark was born this year, confirming we have an active breeding population in Wales.

‘This new footage is extremely useful to inform our conservation efforts for this species, especially as Wales hosts one of the last angel shark populations in the northern most part of their range.’

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

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