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SFPA Issue Public Reminder about Angelshark Protection

5th June 2023
The Angelshark is now a critically endangered species in Irish waters and the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) has issued a reminder to the public about a ban on catching the fish
The Angelshark is now a critically endangered species in Irish waters and the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) has issued a reminder to the public about a ban on catching the fish

The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) has issued a reminder to the public about a ban on catching angelsharks, after a sighting of the endangered species in Galway Bay.

“Angelsharks (Squatina squatina) are among Ireland’s rarest native (as opposed to migrant) fish,”the SFPA said in a statement.

“They are critically endangered worldwide. They have been reduced to a couple of areas in Irish waters – Tralee Bay being the most notable. Only between one and a few are seen in Irish waters in any year,”it said.

Film footage of an angelshark was recorded by two kayaking instructors Ronan Breathnach and Colm O’Loan off Rinville in south Galway Bay last weekend.

The Angelshark (squatina squatina) The Angelshark (squatina squatina) 

The Marine Institute, which confirmed the sighting, described it as “ a great day out for the group of 12 budding marine scientists of the future”

The SFPA says it wishes to remind the public that angelsharks are a “prohibited species” for all EU and third-country vessels.

“Any commercial fisher who encounters them must release them safely back into the sea as soon as possible, and they are strongly encouraged to record them as bycatch in their logsheet,”it said.

“Some commercial vessels have tagged them over the past decade. These details help with the assessment of the angelshark populations,” the SFPA added.

Fishermen, coastal farmers, walkers and “passionate individuals” are being asked to report new sightings or past records of the angelshark as part of a national research project which marine scientist Louise Overy recently spoke to Wavelengths about.

The aim is to develop an action plan which supports their recovery for future generations – a “community-led recovery”, Overy said in her interview here

Published in SFPA, Marine Wildlife
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About the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA)

The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority was established on the 1st of January 2007. The SFPA is independent in the exercise of its functions, which are below.

The principal functions of the Authority are:

  1. To secure efficient and effective enforcement of sea-fisheries law and food safety law
  2. To promote compliance with & deter contraventions of sea-fisheries law and food safety law
  3. To detect contraventions of sea-fisheries law and food safety law
  4. To provide information to the sea-fisheries and seafood sectors on sea-fisheries law and food safety law and relevant matters within the remit of the Authority, through the Consultative Committee established under section 48 of the above Act or by any other means it considers appropriate
  5. To advise the Minister in relation to policy on effective implementation of sea-fisheries law and food safety law
  6. To provide assistance and information to the Minister in relation to the remit of the Authority
  7. To collect and report data in relation to sea fisheries and food safety as required by the Minister and under Community law
  8. To represent or assist in the representation of the State at national, Community and international fora as requested by the Minister, and
  9. To engage in any other activities relating to the functions of the Authority as may be approved of by the Minister.