The Scottish Sea Angling Conservation Network has been awarded a funding package worth £52,000 to help support its data gathering on species of sharks, skates and rays found in Scottish waters, many of which are at risk.

SSACN has been awarded funding to support data gathering on skates, sharks and rays. Credit: NOAA

The funding has been offered by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and the Argyll and the Islands LEADER Programme and will be used to employ a Shark Project Officer who will work with SSACN to further develop the Scottish Shark Tagging Programme whose objectives are to:

• Record data on shark, skate and ray species

• Increase public awareness

• Highlight the need for species protection

• Encourage use of “codes of best practice”

• Showcase conservation methods and efforts

Tagging is the only non-destructive means of gathering the necessary data. It will be undertaken by volunteer sea anglers - fishing from the shore, kayaks or boats - who will catch, tag and release various shark, skate and ray species, either as part of their normal fishing trips or during major tagging events coordinated by the Shark Project Officer and SSACN.

The duties of the Shark Project Officer will also include arranging training workshops for anglers and raising awareness of Scottish sharks, skates and rays by liaising with fishermen, and visiting schools in Argyll.

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