Previous estimates for declines of Critically Endangered angelsharks in Wales may have been overestimated, suggests our most recent ZSL-led study, identifying how changes to fishing practices have decreased chances of fishers encountering this native species.

Published today (9 June 2025) in People & Nature, a paper from our team, working with Natural Resources Wales (NRW) and Welsh fishing organisations, reveals how a series of changes within the Welsh fishing sector – such as reduced angling efforts and decreased overlap between fishing activities and angelshark habitats – have led to a decreased likelihood of fishers encountering the threatened angelsharks.

This finding comes as the team confirm how new techniques could help them build a more accurate picture. Monitoring the DNA left by angelsharks in their environment could revolutionise their ability to understand how these Critically Endangered fish are faring by reducing reliance on chance encounters.