The first satellite-tagged angel shark in Greece is providing researchers with a new way to understand one of the Mediterranean’s most threatened marine species. The milestone was achieved on the island of Lemnos, where a new restoration project supported by the Endangered Landscapes & Seascapes Programme is combining habitat restoration with research to protect biodiversity across the North Aegean Sea.
Although they resemble rays, angel sharks are true sharks that spend much of their lives resting on the seabed. This behaviour makes them particularly vulnerable to accidental capture in fishing gear, contributing to severe population declines across the Mediterranean.
Building knowledge to support restoration
The tagging was carried out by environmental organisation iSea, which has been leading efforts to identify the distribution of angel sharks and their critical habitats in Greek waters since 2018.
Working alongside local fishers on Lemnos, the team successfully deployed the country’s first satellite tag on an angel shark. Over the coming months, the tag is expected to reveal new information about the shark’s movements, habitat use and behaviour.
For the first time in Greece, researchers will be able to study a shark species directly in its natural environment using satellite tracking, complementing information gathered through fisheries records and other monitoring methods.
The work forms part of the Lemnos restoration project, supported by the Endangered Landscapes & Seascapes Programme. Alongside restoring Posidonia seagrass meadows, coastal dunes and wetlands, the project is improving understanding of key marine species to help guide long-term conservation and management across the seascape.
From fewer than ten records to targeted conservation
Until recently, very little was known about angel sharks in Greek waters. Before 2018, fewer than ten confirmed records existed, most of them from accidental catches, museum collections or illegally traded individuals sold under the local name “rina”.
Three angel shark species occur in Greece: the angelshark (Squatina squatina), smoothback angelshark (Squatina oculata) and sawback angelshark (Squatina aculeata). All three have recently been assessed as Critically Endangered on the Greek Red List.
Despite legal protection under national and international legislation, angel sharks continue to face threats from bycatch and illegal trade. Improving knowledge of where they live and how they use coastal habitats is an important step towards protecting the remaining populations.
Collaboration across the Mediterranean
The satellite-tagging mission brought together teams from Angel Shark Project: Greece and Angel Shark Project: Canary Islands, supported by the Shark Conservation Fund.
Alongside satellite tagging, researchers carried out underwater visual surveys, deployed baited remote underwater video systems (BRUVs), conducted night-time monitoring surveys and shared expertise in angel shark tagging techniques.
Working closely with local fishing communities, these activities are helping researchers identify important habitats while strengthening conservation efforts in Greece and across the Mediterranean.
Looking ahead
The data collected from the satellite tag will help researchers identify critical habitats and better understand how angel sharks use the waters around Lemnos. This evidence will support future conservation measures and help inform the management of the wider seascape.
Alongside ongoing research, iSea is also promoting the adoption of a National Action Plan for angel shark conservation in Greece. If adopted, it would become the first national action plan for angel sharks in the Mediterranean, providing a coordinated framework for protecting these Critically Endangered species and the habitats they depend on.
This article was adapted from the iSea website. To find out more about restoration in Lemnos, visit the project page.
