Footage of critically-endangered shark captured off Welsh coastline
The Angel Shark was filmed in Cardigan Bay
Last updated 7th Sep 2021
A Welsh diver has snapped the first ever underwater photos and videos of a critically endangered young Angelshark.
The film was taken in North Cardigan Bay and offers further evidence that the species is coming into Welsh waters to give birth.
Photographer and marine biologist, Jake Davies, is the Angel Shark Project Wales Coordinator.
He said:
“I’ve always kept an eye out for Angelsharks during dives, having worked to better understand the species for the last four years.
“I couldn’t believe it when I saw the Angelshark, 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.”
The Angelshark is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened species following a decline in their range over the last 50 years.