ZSL #047 Shark Tales of North Wales

Field Site and Collaboration

The podcast follows Harriet Macarra as she joins ZSL scientists in North Wales on a field program focused on elasmobranchs, a region described as a sharks hotspot with significant ecological and cultural value. The team collaborates with Natural Resources Wales and local fishers, leveraging long-standing relationships to enable fieldwork that would be difficult otherwise. The coastal waters host a diversity of species, including taupe (tope) sharks and the critically endangered angel shark, making this a key site for UK shark research and conservation. The work aims to understand movements, habitat use, and population dynamics to inform management decisions and preserve Wales’ marine heritage.

Species Habitat and Significance

Researchers describe the North Wales coast as a hotspot for sharks and rays, with a rich assemblage including endangered angel sharks and other vulnerable species like nursehounds. The area serves not only ecological roles, but also cultural and economic ones through local fisheries. By studying these species in a region where fishing practices have a long history, the team can connect ecological data with community livelihoods and tradition, enhancing the relevance and impact of their work.

Acoustic Tagging and Field Methods

Central to the field program is acoustic tagging. Sharks are captured under strict licensing, placed into a bespoke cradle for safe handling, and monitored for a short window to minimize stress. An ultrasound assesses pregnancy in females, guiding decisions on whether to tag. If a female is not heavily pregnant, an acoustic tag is inserted into the abdominal cavity, and a genetic fin clip plus an external marker are added for future identification. Tags emit coded pings every few minutes, logging detections as animals move among receivers to reveal space use and behavior. The team emphasizes speed and animal welfare, aiming to complete tagging within seven to ten minutes per animal.

"We have to operate under a very strict home office licence" - David Kernick, Research Fellow and Head of the Ocean Predator Lab, ZSL.

Beyond Tagging: Complementary Methods and Community Knowledge

In addition to acoustic tagging, researchers deploy other techniques to build a fuller picture of shark populations. EDNA water sampling detects DNA from species present in the area, while analyses of stomach contents and stable isotopes illuminate feeding habits and trophic interactions. Fishers’ knowledge provides historical context and practical insight into shifts in fishing practices and shark encounters over the decades. The researchers stress that this longitudinal perspective—linking historical records with contemporary data—helps interpret short-term trends and informs more robust conservation strategies.

Long-Term Context and Conservation Policy

Daniel Montgomery notes that long-term, local ecological knowledge extends back to Victorian naturalists who described angel sharks in this region, illustrating that these species have long shaped and been shaped by this coastline. The project also highlights legal protections: angel sharks are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, and tope are regulated under the Tope Prohibition of Fishing Order 2008, with fishing restricted to rod and line. By communicating these protections and the ecological roles of elasmobranchs, the team aims to support evidence-based policy and foster a future where these species can thrive. The episode closes with gratitude to the fishers and partners who make the work possible and an invitation to engage with the project through questions or comments.

"There are records in naturalist history books going back hundreds of years where they've recognised this area as important" - Daniel Montgomery, Postdoctoral Research Assistant, Project Shark and the Ocean Predator Lab, ZSL.