Shark Focus - Issue 66

ISSUE 66

SUMMER 2021

THE DEEPEST BLUE OCEANIC SHARKS SHARK LIFE ON THE HIGH-SEAS

GOING FAST STORY OF THE MAKO GREEN SHOOTS OF HOPE SLEEP! NATURE’S SOFT NURSE (SHARK)

WELCOME summer2021

WELCOME

SHARK TRUST

ISSUE 66

ADDRESS: 4 Creykes Court, The Millfields, Plymouth, PL1 3JB, UK

ISSUE 66

SUMMER 2021

THE DEEPEST BLUE

GOING FAST STORY OF THE MAKO GREEN SHOOTS OF HOPE SLEEP! NATURE’S SOFT NURSE (SHARK)

WELCOME to our latest issue – Shark Focus 66. We’re heading

PHONE:

off to the big blue this issue. Checking out some of the most

+44 (0)1752 672008

charismatic and best-known oceanic sharks (and rays). The

EMAIL:

conservation case for these species is particularly urgent,

focus@sharktrust.org

due to the pressure placed on them by destructive high-seas

WEBSITE:

fisheries. This has become an absolutely key area of our work,

www.sharktrust.org

currently focusing on the Shortfin Mako in the North Atlantic.

OCEANIC SHARKS SHARK LIFE ON THE HIGH-SEAS

You’ll find an update on Ali and the team’s progress with the No Limits? campaign in her Shark Talk editorial on p.18.

Covey, Dan Fairweather, Sarah Fowler OBE,

And for the Pups, well we thought it’d be good to take a COVER: Thresher shark by John Van Lent.

TRUSTEES: Jayne Ensell-Bowen, Roger

Charles Hood, Dean

closer look at the ever-popular eggcases. We venture across

Martin and Richard

the high-seas to explore what can be found washed up on

Peirce.

beaches the world over. Don’t let the young ones keep it all for themselves, adults too can flip the magazine and dig into the Pup Zone.

PATRONS: Steve Backshall, Nick Baker, John Boyle, Leonard Compagno, Marc

Hope you enjoy this issue. If you love it don’t forget to

Dando, Bob Earll, Nigel

pass it onto a friend when you’re done. Spread the word

Eaton, Ian Fergusson,

about sharks.

Mariella Frostrup, Loyd Grossman, John Gummer MP, Monty Halls, Martha Holmes, Kate Humble, Sir David

HOUSEKEEPING

Jason OBE, Gordon Ramsay OBE, Simon Rogerson, Jeremy

GLENYS HEAFIELD

Stafford-Deitsch,

Company Secretary

Michaela Strachan and

Head of Finance & Administration

Valerie Taylor.

actions. And for this,

of you don’t have a Gift

to do this it really

safe and well and

we’re so grateful. Thank

Aid mandate set up. This

does help us.

getting back to some

you all.

is so important as it

semblance of normality.

During lockdown,

Do remember to

means the government

keep us updated on any

© Shark Trust 2021 Shark Focus is copyrighted so those wishing to reproduce articles must first

It’s been a very difficult

we’ve taken the

support your payment

changes of address so

12 months for everyone,

opportunity to update

by 25p for every £1 you

you don’t miss out on

Trust. The views and

and our membership

our data management.

give during the year. So,

your Shark Focus

opinions expressed

remains very important

Our new system means

if you’re a UK taxpayer

magazines and if you

by the authors are not

to us. You’ve all been

we’ve much better

and fit the HMRC

have any questions at

necessarily those of the

amazing and despite the

access to information

eligibility criteria, please

all on any subject,

Shark Trust.

tumultuous year you’ve

that helps us serve you

follow the link or scan

please email me at

DESIGN: Hazel Graham

continued to support us,

better. This process has

the QR code to ensure

glenys@sharktrust.org.

crossfireagency.com

allowing us to deliver

highlighted, amongst

you’re registered. Thank

We love to hear

our conservation

other things, that many

you for taking the time

from you.

0. 2.

contact the Shark

sharktrust.org

© XXXXXXXX

I hope that you’re all

the OCEANIC SHARKS issue

LANDMARK DAY in the LIFE

report

26.

10. globa lN

EW S

28.

08.

06.

12. the cold hard

FACTS

PUP’S CLUB

weird & wonderful world of shark eggs

CONTENTS FEATURES

REGULARS

–

–

08. SHARK LIFE

On the High-Seas

10. LIFTING THE LID Oceanic Sharks

11. GREEN SHOOTS OF HOPE 12. THE COLD HARD FACTS 14. GOING FAST Story of the Mako

sharktrust.org

15. 5 STEPS TO SUSTAINABILITY 16. OCEANIC WHITETIP POSTER 20. GUITARFISH NEW Project

25.

SLEEP! Nature’s Soft Nurse (Shark), Tom Hird

26. SHARK CAREERS A Day in the Life

04.

06.

18.

19.

22.

24.

28.

YOUR VIEWS GLOBAL SHARK NEWS SHARK TALK Ali Hood SHARK TALK Paul Cox FUNDRAISING CREATURE FEATURE Porbeagle PUP’S CLUB 3.

YOUR views

YOUR VIEWS Send your questions, comments and photos to focus@sharktrust.org and you may appear in our next issue.

STAR LETTER ‘THE NATURE OF OUR VILLAGE’ PROJECT ‘We’re a group of citizen scientists living in and around the village of Penparcau, near Aberystwyth in West Wales. The Winter of 2019-20 was our fifth season of carrying out surveys for the Shark Trust’s Great Eggcase Hunt. We were pleased to be able to make an enormous number of records through systematic searches. We collected a total of 5,031 eggcases over 5 years and can now show that Cardigan Bay is likely to be a nursery ground for Nursehounds.

We keep our survey effort the same each year, running 11 searches over the season. Below is a table showing the number of eggcases found over successive survey seasons on Tanybwlch: Species:

Winter 2015-16

Winter 2016-17

Winter 2017-18

Winter 2018-19

Winter 2019-20

Nursehound

831

683

730

554

1189

Smallspotted Catshark

58

63

99

29

91

Spotted Ray

60

61

119

58

153

Small-eyed Ray

20

24

48

17

57

Thornback Ray

10

14

24

10

25

Blonde Ray

0

1

1

0

0

Cuckoo Ray

0

1

0

1

1

Total eggcases

979

847

1021

669

1515

4.

© XXXXXXXX

As well as recording eggcases, we also note any dead adults we find washed up and submit them to the Shark Trust Sightings Database.

This year we reported 13 adults: 11 Nursehound and 2 Smallspotted Catshark.” - CHLOE GRIFFITHS Shark Trust: Big thanks to Chloe and her team of volunteers for taking part in this ongoing project. This data will go a long way to helping us better understand egglaying sharks and skates in this area.

sharktrust.org

Highlights 2020 MARCH

GLOBAL ACTION: INFLUENCING INTERNATIONAL FISHERIES

OUR SUPPORTERS

16

but Gone lhome stil working!

DESPITE THE CHALLENGES WE’VE BEEN BUSIER THAN EVER

1,500 3,000 PEOPLE RECEIVING MONTHLY E-NEWS

MEMBERS FROM ACROSS THE WORLD

38,000 34,000 5,000 FACEBOOK

TWITTER

INSTAGRAM

FISHERIES MANAGEMENT

RESPONSIBLE TRADE

First EU Blue Shark catch limit

New UK Government commitment to sharks

Development of new guitarfishes collaboration ST adopts the Basking Shark Watch database Flapper Skate Working Group

Positively influencing EU CITES implementation for mako Multiple briefings/Ministerial meetings regarding shark fin imports Monitoring squalene use in Covid vaccines

MAKING TIME FOR MAKOS, BLUE SHARKS, PORBEAGLE & FINS NATURALLY ATTACHED

NAFO: ENFORCING INTERNATIONAL PROHIBITION ON GREENLAND SHARK & FINS NATURALLY ATTACHED

NEWS:

NEWS:

TUNISIA PROMOTES PROHIBITED STATUS FOR 21 SPECIES OF ELASMOBRANCH

UK STEPS UP AND SUPPORTS PROHIBITION FOR SHORTFIN MAKO; ICCAT IMPLEMENTS FIRST BLUE SHARK TAC

55 ENTANGLEMENT

34,904 112

Eggcase data shared in support of MPAs & management measures

ANGLING: NEW CODE OF CONDUCT PRODUCED

SIGHTINGS IN 2020

CONNECTING PEOPLE WITH SHARKS As well as webinars, online talks, presentations and meetings, we reached out via:

Published and delivered to industry:

ANOTHER AMAZING YEAR FOR SHARKS… THANKS TO YOU! Despite the challenges of 2020, we were busier than ever. And, thanks to your support, we secured some fantastic wins for sharks.

Check out our latest infographic for the highlights at www.sharktrust.org/our-work.

2nd edition of Sharks, Skates and Rays of the British Isles Falkland Islands Skate ID guides Fisheries Advisories/Handling Guides in 9 languages New ID guides for Norway & Ireland

We

ICCAT ADOPTS FIRST BLUE SHARK CATCH LIMIT:

EGGCASES RECORDED IN 2020 (292,995 IN TOTAL)

Launch of Clean Catch UK Steering Group

New Sub-Regional Action Plans for angel sharks

CHAMPIONING & EXPANDING SPECIES LISTINGS & ENFORCING FINS NATURALLY ATTACHED

CITIZEN SCIENCE UPDATE

MAKING PROGRESS

Shark Trust was engaged in/delivered:

SPECIES PROTECTION

GFCM:

to collaborate!

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO SUPPORTED US IN 2020.

ANGEL SHARK DAY Delivered on behalf of the Angel Shark Conservation Network

NO LIMITS 2020 CAMPAIGN

SHARK AND RAY AWARENESS DAY

MAKO2020 in partnership with European aquariums

With our partners in the Aquarium & Zoo Association

OUR WEBSITE Welcoming more visitors than ever...

WANT TO KNOW MORE? SHARKTRUST.ORG

SHARK ART COMPETITION

▲

Thank you to our talented artists, who took part in our February competition on social media. We were so impressed by the quality of entries. And it was such a pleasure looking at all your amazing work!

After much deliberation, we selected 10 finalists for our Facebook and Instagram page. From here our followers selected the winner by voting for their favourite.

Congratulations went to... Gerard Bradley for the epic White Shark drawing (left). Gerard, we hope you’re enjoying your Shark Trust membership and welcome to our shark community!

We’d also like to give a shout out to runners up: Julie Lyle and Chloe Winn for their incredible entries.

▲ White Shark by Julie Lyle | Watercolour “My inspiration is wanting to enjoy and experience sharks in their environment. I’ve snorkeled with them and been diving with them... I still want to do more to protect them, educate others and hope others will see their beauty, majesty and essential part of our world.”

© XXXXXXXX

▲

Whale Shark by Chloe Winn | Pencil “I made this piece in celebration of local Maldivian culture and the Maldives’ iconic national animal the Whale Shark.

Within the silhouette of this gentle giant, you can see small drawings depicting various marine creatures and local Maldivian visuals, such as a traditional Maldivian dhoni boat, a woman preparing ground coconut for a meal and a tuna fisherman. Drawn in the centre is the local island of Dhigurah, which is home to the Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme, as well as the locals who depend on Whale Shark ecotourism.”

@SharkTrustUK

5.

6.

Underside of a Pygmy Sha shark in the world. Their g them hide from predators blend into the lighter wat

Basking Shark filters plankton from the water

DECEMBER

JANUARY

Scientists have long suspected that cancer

Scientists studying the gene flow

in sharks is low. But data to prove this

and population structure of migrating

has been limited, up until recently. A new

Basking Sharks in the Northeast Atlantic

genetic study of Shortfin Mako in the Atlantic

have made a startling revelation. Like

and Indian Oceans has made an exciting

many holidaymakers, they too make

discovery. Within the liver, they found many

annual trips with extended family!

genes linked to tumour suppression. In fact,

Visiting familiar locations that serve

9/10 of the most prevalent genes tested

their favourite fare - zooplankton. These

accounted for this. These new findings could

findings will help scientists to determine

help direct cancer research. And are vital to

the genetic structure of groups and feed

understanding more about this Endangered

into the conservation management of

species and its populations. Still heavily

this Endangered shark.

GLOBAL // What Makes a Mako Shark?

BRITISH ISLES // It’s a Family Affair

fished in the Atlantic, Mako Sharks remain a key focal species in our No Limits? campaign.

JANUARY

GLOBAL // Oceanic Sharks and Rays Face Unprecedented Extinction Risk from

destructive fishing practices. This

Overfishing

ground-breaking study reinforces the

Alarming news concerning oceanic sharks

need for urgent science-based management

and rays. Scientists from the Global Shark

for sharks and rays found in the high-seas.

Trends Project (GSTP) revealed their numbers

As well as international collaboration for

globally have declined by 71% over the past

these wide-ranging species. Find out

50 years. The main cause... a direct result of

more on p.10.

© CHARLES HOOD

GLOBAL NEWS

GLOBAL news

sharktrust.org/news

MARCH

de of a Pygmy Shark, the 2nd smallest the world. Their glowing bellies help de from predators below, as they to the lighter waters above.

NEW ZEALAND // Luminous Sharks:

Researchers Identify 3 More Deep-Sea Sharks that Glow Scientists studying deepwater sharks off the east coast of New Zealand have documented 3 more species that glow!

Including what’s now the largest known luminous vertebrate, the Kitefin Shark, which grows to nearly 6ft. These sharks produce light from special organs located on their bellies and other parts of their body. Helping to camouflage them from predators below. And possibly allowing them to communicate with other sharks. Further research is needed to better understand these fascinating species of the deep.

© DOUG PERRINE/NATURE PL; NICK ROBERTSON BROWN; PETER BARDSLEY.

Picture Caption

APRIL

MARCH

GLOBAL // World’s Largest Marine Wildlife Monitoring Network

SCOTLAND // MPA Created off Scotland Following

The world’s largest network of marine wildlife

Discovery of a Flapper Skate Egglaying Site

monitoring systems is being established by the

The exciting discovery of a Flapper Skate egglaying site in

UK. A network of underwater cameras will monitor

the Inner Sound of Skye in late 2019 has led to the urgent

more than 4 million square kilometres of ocean in 10

designation of a Marine Protected Area (MPA). The MPA

Overseas Territories, including the Cayman Islands

prohibits activities that are potentially damaging to the large

and Ascension. The project aims to collect information

eggcases. These contain the developing young of this Critically

from parts of the ocean that have previously been

Endangered species for ~12 months. Further assessments will

challenging to study. Stay tuned to see which sharks

help establish more permanent management measures.

and rays are captured on camera!

TheSharkTrust

SharkTrustUK

TheSharkTrust

7.

I

f you were a shark, where would you live?

Maybe you’d hide under a rock, plumb the depths of the abyss, or even disappear into the sand? Or maybe you’d prefer a life on

the open road (in shark terms). Oceanic sharks and rays are that small group that spend most of their time in clear blue water, far away from land, exploring the high-seas.

It might seem like an ideal life for an efficient swimmer and predator. But, sadly, in recent years the high-seas hold a particular threat for oceanic sharks. Destructive, large-scale industrial fisheries employing longlines and huge seinenets. Out of sight, these high-seas fisheries have multiplied and intensified. And the impact on marine life is increasingly becoming clear. This is particularly true for sharks and rays. A new report in the respected scientific journal Nature emerged at the start of this year, giving us a whole new set of grim statistics for the state of oceanic shark and ray populations.

So, we decided to take a closer look. At the animals, at the science and, vitally, at what can be done to secure a better future for this

IN THIS SECTION

8.

10.

11.

12.

Lifting the Lid on Oceanic Sharks

Green Shoots of Hope

The Cold Hard Facts sharktrust.org

© WILDESTANIMAL/SHUTTERSTOCK

vulnerable group of sharks and rays.

SHARK

LIFE ON THE HIGH-SEAS

14.

15.

16.

Going Fast Story of the Mako

5 Steps to Sustainability

Poster: Oceanic Whitetip

sharktrust.org

9.

Lifting the Lid on

OCEANIC SHARKS Paul Cox, Managing Director, reviews landmark report on oceanic sharks...

10.

on the high-seas. The results of this in-depth research landed in January this year.

And the paper rightly attracted a flurry of media attention.

“Extinction Seems Imminent for Sharks and Rays” surmised one report. “Will Sharks Survive?” asked another. And the headline findings from the report suggests they weren’t over-egging the response. They found that globally the number of oceanic sharks was down 71% in 50 years. And 75% of species are threatened with extinction under IUCN Red List criteria.

It’s a tough read. Yet, in some ways, it feels like just another piece of environmental bad news. We know things are bad for sharks.

Now, we have a new set of grim statistics.

A CLEAR CAUSE But this report is different. Because of the clarity with which it identifies the culprit. And this clarity is refreshing. There’s no fencesitting, no complex multiple threats. Three separate lines of evidence, all pointing to the same cause. Destructive Fisheries. We’ve known this for decades. But here it is in black and white, with quantifiable and undisputable data to back it up. The stats can’t be ignored!

To quote from the paper: “Although there are numerous pressures acting on sharks, every Red List assessment for the 31 oceanic sharks concluded that the major threat was ‘biological resource use’ and, more specifically, ‘fishing and harvesting aquatic resources.” sharktrust.org

TOMAS KOTOUC/SHUTTERSTOCK

T

his story begins with the formation of the Global Shark Trends Project (GSTP). A collaboration of the IUCN Shark Specialist Group, Simon Fraser University, James Cook University, and the Georgia Aquarium. With support from the Shark Conservation Fund, the project took up the challenge of updating the current extinction risk for all sharks, rays, and chimaeras. No mean feat!

To explore the state of oceanic shark and ray species, the GSTP team engaged more than a dozen additional experts from around the world. From literature reviews and expert workshops, the team dug into a mountain of data to create a picture of the past 50 years

THERE IS HOPE TO BE FOUND IN A FEW SHARK CONSERVATION SUCCESS STORIES

If my car was broken and I took it to 3 garages, I’d rather they all pointed to the exact same problem. It’d be more worrying if they all said something different. Or scratched their heads and said, “it’s complicated…”.

GREEN SHOOTS OF HOPE And there’s hope hidden in this report. Even if it doesn’t announce its presence as strongly as the dire statistics of decline.

For a start, and this is important, this is not a report on all sharks and rays. It applies to 31 species that are under particular pressure due to the nature and intensity of high-seas fishing. That’s not to downplay it. But it’s an important distinction.

Secondly, there are solutions. And sharktrust.org

relatively easy ones at that. To quote the authors who say it better than I can “It is possible to reverse shark population declines, even for slow-growing species, if precautionary, science-based management is implemented throughout the range of the species, before depletion reaches a point of no return.”

Is this false hope? No. Because, thirdly, the report offers concrete examples of species that have started to recover where fishing restrictions have been put in place.

Sonja Fordham, one of the report’s authors, puts it best: “Our analysis is generally grim, but there is hope to be found in a few shark conservation success stories. We document rebuilding for

several Northwest Atlantic species, including Great White Sharks and Hammerheads, achieved through science-based fishing limits. Relatively simple safeguards can help to save sharks and rays, but time is running out. We urgently need conservation action across the globe to prevent myriad negative consequences and secure a brighter future for these extraordinary, irreplaceable animals.”

It’s not too late for these sharks. But we need to hold policy-makers to account. And ensure that fisheries across the world are properly managed for the common good.

We must put science at the heart of shark conservation.

For more on this study search Nature & Pacoureau.

11.

WHAT the PAPE R Key facts highlighted in the landmark research IMPACT OF FISHERIES FISHING PRESSURE INCREASING Fishing has increased globally. Asia is gradually catching up with Europe as the largest fishing power.

ARE FISHERIES SUSTAINABLE? Analysis of fisheries data shows a decline in the proportion of oceanic sharks that could be considered as sustainably fished:

100% 75%

54%

Global fishing

effort up 54% (1950 - 2010)

21% 0% 1970

Most oceanic sharks are caught using seine (big circular nets) and longlines. Fishing by these methods has doubled in the last 50 years.

x3

x 18 Fishing pressure

3x more oceanic sharks are being caught.

As numbers have declined, the catch relative to the population size has increased by 18x.

SMOOTH HAMMERHEAD

MANTAS & DEVIL RAYS

The only oceanic species found to have

Oceanic rays are the worst affected group:

increased in population size:

• Thought to have been around for 20-25

• High reproductive rate: 20-50 pups

million years.

per year.

• The only vertebrate to have 3 working

• Often mistaken for scalloped

pairs of limbs.

hammerhead in fisheries.

• Long pregnancy producing 1 or 2 pups

• Found in cooler water than

every couple of years. © XXXXXXXX

Catch rate

other hammerheads.

12.

© JILLIAN MORRIS; MICHAEL BOGNER/SHUTTERSTOCK.

Clearly, better management and oversight of high seas fisheries is needed to turn a corner.

Pressure on oceanic sharks

x2

2018

sharktrust.org

E RS SAY Read the full research paper here

DECLINE IN NUMBERS

EXTINCTION RISK

18 oceanic sharks and rays were assessed using the “Living Planet Index".

31 species All 31 oceanic species were included in an analysis of extinction risk.

9 of 31 were classed as threatened in 1970. Today it’s 24.

Dusky Shark Silky Shark

1

Blue Shark

Common Thresher Pelagic Thresher White Shark

6

1 1.2 - 1.4 1 - 1.2

Bigeye Thresher

3

8

Great Hammerhead Scalloped Hammerhead Smooth Hammerhead

2021

1970

Oceanic Whitetip Shark

0.8 - 1

20 13

2

8

0.6 - 0.8 0.4 - 0.6

Longfin Mako

0.2 - 0.4

Shortfin Mako

0 - 0.2

LC

NT

VU

EN

CR

Threatened classes

Porbeagle

© XXXXXXXX

© JEAN-LOUIS DANAN; DOUG PERRINE/ALAMY.

LC Pelagic Stingray Giant Manta Ray Reef Manta Ray Shortfin Devilray

Living Planet Index (LPI) - starting at 1, this shows the change in shark/ray numbers over time. LPI greater than 1 indicates population growth, less than 1 a decline. The lower the number, the more serious the decline.

LC The Basking Shark was the only Endangered species in 1970.

VU VU

NT

We now have 16 Critically Endangered or Endangered sharks.

EN

VU EN YEAR 1980

OCEANIC WHITETIP

PORBEAGLE

Once present in huge numbers now

An oceanic species showing signs

critically endangered:

of population rebuilding since 2000:

• The scientific name ‘longimanus’ means ‘long

• Have a third eyelid (nicitating membrane)

hands’, referring to their long pectoral fins.

like a cat which protects their eyes.

• Born with black tips but these fade over

• They’ve been recorded up to 3.5m

time turning white.

long – the length of two average

• Once described as ‘Possibly the most

European men end to end.

abundant large animal on the face of the Earth’.

• Prized by sport fishermen.

sharktrust.org

NT

LC NT

EN

CR

2005

2018

13.

GOING FAST The Story of the Mako

© RICHARD ROBINSON/ALAMY

O

f all the oceanic sharks assessment in 2017 was very clear: Stop highlighted in the Nature fishing now if Atlantic Mako are to have a report, the Shortfin Mako chance of recovering in our lifetime. That’s is probably in the most sobering stuff and warrants immediate action. pressing situation. The Sadly, key decision-makers, particularly Mako is one of our bestin the EU and US, are failing to heed the loved sharks. Sleek, speedy and with one advice. Instead listening to industry voices of the shark world’s most impressive set of and placing economic arguments ahead of the teeth. In the Atlantic, they range from the tip need to protect an endangered species. of South America to Greenland. While they The science is clear-cut, the advice can withstand a bit of cold, they migrate huge straightforward. Our task is to keep making a distances to stay in warmer waters. Females strong and unswerving case. To use whatever reach maturity late levers are available to at 18 years and they shift the thinking of reproduce slowly. policy-makers and ...THEY ARE BEING All told they might force the industry to CAUGHT IN have as few as 3 stop fishing Mako. litters of 10-18 And that’s what HUGE NUMBERS pups in a lifetime. we’re doing. Working They are, quite with Shark League simply, beautiful but partners we’ve vulnerable sharks. coordinated the Rally4Mako campaign across Yet they’re being caught in huge numbers, Europe and US and we’re gearing up for way exceeding their rate of reproduction. another key policy meeting in November.

They’re an important secondary species Change is possible. It takes time and for huge longlining fleets fishing for tuna and persistence. But there is hope for Mako, and swordfish. But to describe them as bycatch is all oceanic sharks, if we come together with a misleading. They’re a valuable shark for both clear purpose and determination to end meat and fins. And the fishing industry is damaging industrial fishing practices. remarkably reluctant to stop catching them.

Find out more about how you can get The message from scientists, after a full involved at sharktrust.org/Rally4Mako.

WHAT IS LONGLINING? This industrial

incredibly efficient

tens of thousands of

animals, including

of longlining, reduce

fishing method

way of catching fish

hooks per day. But it

high-seas sharks.

the intensity of high-

involves setting lines

with minimal habitat

also indiscriminately

So, it’s vital to

seas fishing, and

1-50 miles long with

damage. Large

kills large numbers

understand more

explore methods to

baited hooks. It’s an

vessels can bait

of other marine

about the impacts

reduce bycatch.

14.

5

STEPS TO SUSTAINABILITY How do we stop large scale destructive fishing practices to safeguard healthy and secure populations?

1

END FINNING When sharks are brought ashore

with their fins attached, species-specific information is easier to collect.

2

AID IDENTIFICATION By making sure sharks are correctly

identified and counted, scientists have the best available data to assess damage to populations.

3

DO THE SCIENCE By studying and modelling the health

of shark populations, scientists make recommendations on what level of fishing would ensure future health.

4

SET CATCH LIMITS Setting national and international limits

based on scientific advice means that sharks can be given time to recover to a healthy level.

5

ENFORCE PROTECTIONS With catch limits in

place, constant monitoring and review should ensure compliance, reduce bycatch and challenge illegal fishing.

15.

O C E A N I C W

SCIENTIFIC NAME:

western South Africa)

Carcharhinus

& Western Atlantic

longimanus

(Maine to Argentina).

MAXIMUM SIZE: 4m

HABITAT: Far offshore

DIET: Mainly fish and squid. As well as shellfish, stingrays, © LUKAS WALTER/SHUTTERSTOCK

seabirds, turtles and marine mammals.

from the surface to depths of 1200m, but mainly 200m. May visit shallow, coastal waters off oceanic islands. Prefers

DISTRIBUTION:

temperatures above

Worldwide in

20°C but can tolerate

tropical and warm temperate oceanic

15-28°C.

waters. Eastern

STATUS: Critically

Atlantic (Portugal to

Endangered

W H I T E T I P

ALI HOOD DIRECTOR OF CONSERVATION

TODAY IS #MAKOMONDAY – it’s 12 July 2021. Had I written this last Monday the tone may have been one of eager anticipation, a dared dream of hope that sense would prevail. That science would be respected.

Concerns for a highly threatened species would be acted on. And conservation would be put ahead of the profits of a few vessel owners.

After all, last December an EU body did follow the science. Reaching the clear conclusion that there could be no sustainable take of mako from the North Atlantic. Especially pertinent given the EU was responsible for 74% of landings from the North Atlantic in 2020. So, what happened?

Last week saw a special meeting of ICCAT* countries with an interest in makos. And we, along with our Shark League colleagues, were of course also there.

Mako management is championed by many.

There’s a diverse and increasing cacophony of calls for banning take of makos from the North Atlantic. With voices from science, politics, business and the wider public, all urging ICCAT Parties to do the right thing: ban retention with no exceptions.

But when Parties in these meetings discuss management, the parts yet to be agreed are placed in [square brackets]. And after 3 days of proposal remains [yet to be agreed]…

Not saying there’s no progress. But we’re deeply concerned with the rate of progress and the absence of agreement on the central and scientifically advised - issue of a ban. What should be in no doubt is the state of the mako population. And that, for every further delay, a population already decades from recovery slides further from reach.

And while a number of Parties were responsible for the brackets, it’s the EU that remains the Party desperate to press on with

18.

“

THE SCIENCE IS CLEAR, BUT THE PROFITS TO BE MADE FROM RETENTION OF MAKO OUTWEIGH THE CONCERNS OF THE MANY.

”

mako fishing. To continue permitting retention of this exceptionally vulnerable species.

Mako has become totemic of shark conservation – the science is clear, but the profits to be made from retention of the species outweigh the concerns of the many.

Ahead of the next round of meetings in Autumn, we must make more noise: we must Rally for Makos.

Join us at sharkleague.org/rally4makos sharktrust.org

© RICHARD ROBINSON/ALAMY

negotiations last week, almost the entire mako

SHARK talk

PAUL COX MANAGING DIRECTOR

AS I WRITE THIS editorial, we’re FINALLY contemplating our return to the office in the coming days. And, we hope, something like a return to normal. Except that, when we do return, one of our team won’t be there.

Hannah, our Marketing Manager, has decided it’s time for a new challenge. Her work has been behind much of the communication that you’ll encounter as members. Not least the website and this magazine. So, she’ll be sorely missed. And I wish her all the best in her new adventure.

As you’ll see from the rest of the magazine (and you might gather from the slightly late delivery) we’ve certainly not been idle while working at home. The last few months have been

“

some of the busiest

Shortfin Mako photographed off the West Coast of Auckland, New Zealand.

”

World: A Complete Guide, by David A. Ebert, Marc Dando & Sarah Fowler. THE shark bible. This classic has been revised and updated.

I’ve experienced in my 6 years at the Trust.

536 of the world’s shark species; packed with

There’s action on a number of fronts and the

stunning colour illustrations, colour photos and

team have all been magnificent.

infographics. There’s a great overview of shark

One of the casualties of the pandemic

biology, ecology and conservation. And a very

from our perspective has been our online

usable fin identification guide.

shop. Working from home it became

A Pocket Guide to Sharks of the World (2nd

impractical to provide the level of service

edition). Always a favourite with our supporters

our customers expect. So, for the last 15

young and old. It’s the only field guide to

months, we’ve limited our shop to selling

identify, illustrate, and describe every known

adoptions and gift memberships only. We’ve

shark species. This expanded edition includes

been surprised and delighted by the enduring

beautiful images, details on newly discovered

popularity of the adoptions, they remain a top

species, and updated text throughout.

gift for shark fanatics.

Lark the Shark, by Natalie & Henry Newman.

In normal times, some of our best sellers

sharktrust.org

Sharks of the

THE LAST FEW MONTHS HAVE BEEN SOME OF THE BUSIEST I’VE EPERIENCED IN MY 6 YEARS AT THE TRUST.

This little gem, written by a mother and son,

are the range of shark books that we offer. And

is a great positive children’s book about a

we have a few new ones on our shelves ready

shark and his mission to clean up the ocean.

for the shop re-opening after the summer.

Beautifully illustrated, it’s an inspiring and fun

So, as a little taster, I’ve done a mini review of

read which gently introduces young children

three of the best.

to some important messages.

19.

PROJECT UPDATE:

BANDING TOGETHER TO SAVE GUITARS

3rd place!

Giant guitarfishes, wedgefishes and guitarfishes are shark-like rays. All but one of the 16 giant guitarfishes and wedgefishes are listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Their fins are among the most valuable in the global shark fin trade.

Low reproductive rates make them especially vulnerable to fishing pressure. While the coastal fisheries that catch them are poorly monitored, largely unregulated, and increasingly intense.

The Critically Endangered Blackchin 20.

“

Guitarfish the region. Reaching (Glaucostegus IT COMES AS NO SURPRISE these boats and markets cemiculus) is is a key conservation THAT DESTRUCTIVE FISHING challenge! native to the Mediterranean.

While little detail IS THE KEY THREAT. Also found is known about the here are the fisheries for these Endangered rays. Both Blackchin Common Guitarfish (Rhinobatos rhinobatos).

Guitarfish and Common Guitarfish are Shark conservation in the Mediterranean is targeted along the North African coast. complicated for many reasons. There’s been a In Tunisia, artisanal fisheries use gillnets massive decline in the variety and number of called ‘Kallabia’ to target them. While in sharks and rays. And it comes as no surprise Libya they favour longlines as well as nets. that destructive fishing is the key threat.

Guitarfishes are a high-value ray with the Small fishing boats are deeply rooted in the meat consumed locally. Since 2012, 24 sharks fabric of the Mediterranean. With over 77,000 and rays, including the 2 guitarfishes, have small boats supplying local markets across been protected in the Mediterranean through

”

sharktrust.org

© ALI HOOD

D

id you know giant guitarfishes are the world’s most threatened marine fishes? Knocking sawfish off the top spot and relegating angel sharks to

PROJECT new

PROJECT UPDATE:

BASKING SHARK CODE OF CONDUCT: HERE IN the UK, Basking Shark season (May-September) is in full swing! So, if you’re out visiting the coast remember to keep a look out for these graceful giants. And, if you’re lucky enough to spot one, remember to record your sightings to our database.

This year we’ve also spruced up our Code of Conduct (below). Designed to help reduce the risk of Basking Sharks getting injured or harassed by waterusers. By following these guidelines, individuals can ensure a positive encounter for both themselves and these magnificent animals.

Download your copy from our website. Or, adopt a Basking Shark today to receive a printed copy in your pack.

BASKING SHARK

CODE OF CONDUCT

regional agreements. But legislation is poorly implemented with many countries yet to adopt and enforce the rules. The Blackchin Guitarfishes were also listed, along with the 15 other giant guitarfishes and wedgefishes, on Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species in 2019.

SO WHAT ARE WE DOING? With support from the Save Our Seas Foundation and Dashlight Foundation, this summer we’re excited to be launching a Mediterranean Guitarfishes project! With partners in Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Israel and Cyprus, we’ll be able to have many eyes on the ground. As a team, we’ll benefit from TheSharkTrust

SharkTrustUK

researchers visiting fish markets and landing sites across the region. And talking with fishers and enforcement officers to increase the profile of guitarfishes and their plight.

Fish markets and landing sites are a valuable resource when trying to get a handle on the species caught and traded in a local area. Many sightings of the rarest species have been made on markets. While disappointing to see rare species dead, this may be the only indicator of their presence in local waters. Not only will we have eyes out for guitarfishes, but also for the 3 species of Critically Endangered angel sharks found in the Mediterranean, and other species of interest. Genetic material will also be collected to help a global study of guitarfishes distribution.

TheSharkTrust

Guidelines to help water-users reduce the risk of injuring or harassing Basking Sharks.

DID YOU KNOW?

GENERAL ADVICE

REMEMBER!

Do not approach within 100m.

If you encounter Basking Sharks be aware:

Although mostly placid, Basking Sharks can startle if disturbed, often thrashing their tail with enormous power.

Be extremely cautious in areas where Basking Sharks have been seen breaching.

For every shark visible on the surface there are likely to be more hidden below.

●Avoid pairs or large numbers of sharks following each other closely.

This may be courting behaviour and they should not be disturbed.

Maintain a distance of at least 500m.

SWIMMERS, DIVERS & SURFERS:

Basking Sharks are legally protected in the UK. It’s illegal to intentionally kill, injure, recklessly disturb or harass Basking Sharks in British waters.

Any person committing such an offence could face up to 6 months in prison and a large fine.

Observe which direction they’re swimming. Then quietly position yourself alongside their anticipated course for a safe and enjoyable view. Wait for them to come to you.

KAYAKS & SUP’S: 4m Maintain a distance of at least 4m and be wary of the tail Do not touch the sharks Do not swim towards them if they are near you Ideally, swimmers should remain on the surface – stay in a group, rather than spreading out around the sharks No more than 4 people in the water within 100m of a shark at any time

Never paddle directly towards the sharks or allow several kayaks to surround them – this could make them dive or act unpredictably Remain calm and quiet – avoid sudden movements which will disturb the sharks Stay in a group, rather than spreading out around the sharks

BOAT USERS:

6

knots

Never chase a shark or direct a vessel towards them – this could make them dive or act unpredictably When sharks are sighted, restrict speed to below 6 knots and/or operate under sail

Try not to cross their path so the sharks can maintain their course without changing direction or speed Never use your paddle or kayak to touch a shark

When closer than 100m, switch the engine to neutral to avoid injuring sharks Avoid sudden changes in speed Do not allow several vessels to surround the shark(s) Jet-skis should not approach Basking Sharks

Don’t forget to take pictures of the fins for the Photo-ID Project and record your sighting.

baskingsharks.org | sharktrust.org

21.

CREATURE FEATURE

PORBEAGLE SHARK Porbeagle’s are strong swimmers.

hydrodynamic shark is built for

Travelling thousands of miles in

endurance. Dark grey-blue in

search of food and to give birth.

colour with a white belly, they

One individual, tagged in Irish

have a pointed snout and large

waters, journeyed over 2,000 miles

black eyes.

to Newfoundland in Canada. A

Porbeagle’s belong to an elite group of

sharks known as mackerel sharks. These

known Porbeagle mating ground.

Porbeagle’s may live on their

“

TWO DISTINCT POPULATIONS EXIST - THE NORTH ATLANTIC AND SOUTH PACIFIC

”

include some of the most powerful and agile

own, or in small groups made up of similar-

bigger, and don’t tend to live as long as those in

sharks in the world, such as the White Shark

sized or same-sex individuals. With males

the south Pacific.

and Shortfin Mako. This group are endothermic,

and females coming together - usually in

so can keep themselves nice and warm. This

September-November - to mate. Yet in some

their time in deeper waters, rising to the

makes them more efficient hunters and able to

places, this can take place in January.

surface at night. They’re opportunistic feeders,

tolerate colder waters.

Porbeagle’s look a lot like White Sharks,

They reproduce slowly, so are extremely

During the day Porbeagles tend to spend

mostly eating small fish - such as mackerel,

vulnerable to destructive fishing. Females take

whiting and herring - as well as octopus, squid

so are often mistaken for them. This has led

12-16 years to reach sexual maturity, males 6-10

and cuttlefish.

to many false reports of White Sharks in UK

years. After 8-9 months, females will give birth

waters. But Porbeagle’s are around half the

to litters of just 1-5 pups.

size. Although still a large shark, the biggest

Two distinct populations exist - the north

Highly inquisitive, Porbeagles have been seen chasing each other, rolling at the surface, and even pushing around floating objects and

Porbeagle on record is 3.6m. While the largest

Atlantic and south Pacific. Individuals from

kelp. Could they be playing? Currently, there

White Shark is 6m.

these areas don’t seem to mix, resulting in key

are no scientific studies to back this up, but

differences. North Atlantic Porbeagle’s get a lot

what an interesting study that would be...!

Found worldwide in cold-temperate waters,

24.

sharktrust.org/creature-feature

© DOUG PERRINE/ALAMY

S

haped like a rugby ball, this

THE blowfish

Sandtiger Shark

The robust Porbeagle, one of the only known sharks that may love to play...

TOM ‘THE BLOWFISH’ HIRD’S SCIENTIFIC BREAKDOWN

SLEEP! NATURE’S SOFT NURSE (SHARK) Do sharks sleep? A great question! Especially considering many sharks have to keep moving to ‘breathe’. So, we asked Tom to dig into the latest science to find out...

IF YOU THINK

good patients, sleep research

difficult to measure in sharks.

dropping off

is slow and subject to a lot of

Smaller, bottom-dwelling

is hard work

interpretation and mystery.

or sedentary species offer

at times,

What we do know is the

an opportunity for scientific

then spare a

biological effects of sleep...

study. So, some research has

thought for the

lowering of the heart rate,

been done on their resting

sharks and rays. It’s one thing

flushing of the brain with

behaviours, but it’s thin at best.

to suffer from insomnia. But

cerebral fluid, and activation

Sleep studies on the larger,

another thing entirely to not

of many of the body’s repair

continuously swimming sharks

even have science recognise

mechanisms. We can measure

simply doesn’t exist. The best

your napping habits. That’s

this via hard chemical or

evidence we have is from

where we currently stand. We

physical data. And, with

recordings of shark behaviours

simply don’t know, or rather

terrestrial animals, we can

where their activity stops,

can’t prove, if sharks sleep.

look at immobility, reduced

or significantly drops. A Bull

awareness, and relaxed posture

Shark was captured drifting

to denote a sleeping state.

in an uncontrolled manner

It’s a huge and complex SCIENTIFIC NAME:

problem to study sleep. Even

Lamna nasus

in humans, who are reasonably

MAXIMUM SIZE: 3.6m

for 2 minutes. In which time it slowly sank as it glided along,

Cruising Lemon Shark

before firing back up again and continuing on its way. It’s

DIET: Small fish

easy to see why this might be

and squid.

considered sleep, albeit the

RANGE: Wideranging in temperate waters (except North Pacific).

© MARK HARRIS

But all this is incredibly

speediest of power naps. But equally the shark may have been just resting.

One thing we can be sure of is that sharks and rays must have some form of sleep.

HABITAT:

Be it a rapid rest or controlled

Coastal and

shut down of parts of the

oceanic waters

brain. Like us, sharks have a

from 0-1,800m

pineal gland in their brain.

deep. Prefers

This is the timekeeper of the

temperatures

body, responsible for our sleep

below 18°C but

cycles. We don’t know exactly

can tolerate

how this works in sharks. But,

-1–23°C.

considering their place as

STATUS: Vulnerable

evolutionary godfathers, it’d be a stretch to think sleep evolved independently of sharks.

sharktrust.org

25.

WHAT DOES A ‘TYPICAL’ WORKING DAY LOOK LIKE?

Intense! I start early, checking our menagerie of creatures at our Woodside Environmental Education Centre. I draw breath for a dip into the office, to catch up on emails. Then an adults-in-care half-day session. Before heading for a primary school to deliver a tailored curriculum supporting ‘outdoor learning programme’. Then we deliver an after-school club to conclude the school day!

It’s diverse all right and hugely gratifying!

circle since childhood. Transfixing a group of primary age children to the magic of nature is indescribable! Seeing their passion for the great out-doors building before your very eyes, breathes an energy that the natural world has a future through our audiences.Witnessing children’s ecological values form, and their realisation that they can do a lot to protect and sustain its future, is priceless. We’ve done our job!

LOWS – WHAT’S THE WORST THING ABOUT YOUR JOB?

HIGHS - WHAT’S THE BEST THING ABOUT YOUR JOB?

I’m living my dream! It’s not a job but a passion. A natural journey that’s come full 26.

The passing of wonderful souls in care with life reducing conditions. When my adultsin-care clients pass, the very same week, I still go into their care communities to

“

TRANSFIXING A GROUP OF PRIMARY AGE CHILDREN TO THE MAGIC OF NATURE IS INDESCRIBABLE!

”

teach. Following a pause for reflection to the deceased, we lift their colleagues’ spirits, with positive focus to create a vibrant atmosphere during our activity sessions. Out of the worst comes huge personal reward too though.

Knowing that during those peoples shortened lives, we’ve made a positive difference.

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO PURSUE THIS sharktrust.org/careers

SHARK

Beach treasure!

Discover shark eggs with the Great Out-tours Great Eggcase Hunt Bundle.

ACTIVITY BUNDLES Ignite a spirit of curiosity, exploration, and discovery!

Bundles include wordsearches, jigsaws, arts & crafts, educational videos,

NAME:

a family quiz and so

JOHN BROOKSBANK

much more...

award-winning

1

environmental

world of sharks &

JOB TITLE & ORGANISATION: Founder, The Great Out-tours - a multi-

ocean as you learn at home, down the park, or on the beach.

also brought Shark

2

Trust and The Great with the launch of a range of shark activity bundles.

From beachcombing to craft challenges, these bundles of fun provide hours of guided learning for children and adults in care homes.

WHAT’S ONE THING YOU WISH YOU’D KNOWN STARTING OUT?

Face your demons! The road to success comes with many twists, turns, and bumps. So, embrace all the positives and negatives with equal gusto! They’ll take you to positive places and reward you in ways you could never have imagined!

© SG HAYWOOD PHOTOGRAPHY; MATT NEWELL.

It was a journey that began as a child, living in the heart of Sussex, England, with the beautiful South Downs hill range on our doorstep. The Great Out-tours business concept was born out of my childhood wildlife experiences, copious nature treks, South Downs hill scrambles, a pet rabbit and cat! My father’s career in the aviation industry brought many family holidays to far flung isles, where I revelled in snorkelling sorties and developed a love for marine environments. Crucially I had a friendly and wise neighbour; ‘the oracle of all things wild’. A man who helped forge my passion for the countryside, that’s fired like a furnace throughout my life! We all need mentors! sharktrust.org/activity-bundle

HUNT Explore the

egg-laying sharks & skates. Where we’ll be heading to the beach for a spot of fieldwork.

3

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE JUST STARTING OUT ON THIS

Age has no boundaries to a career inspiring people in the countryside/outdoors! Embrace educating yourself, no matter your age or circumstance. Through academic qualification, you’ll learn skills for task, gain scientific depth in your writing, teaching, and speaking. Try and forget your career pride for high financial return, in the early years of this dream career.

Gain work experience in your chosen field and take up as many different volunteering posts, as you can squeeze into your working week!

You’ll love the experience, gain new career contacts, and will always commend yourself for time well spent. Take it from me; it’ll arm you well! When employing people, I look at the depth and breadth of environmental experience, regardless of whether it’s paid or volunteering. It shows intent, commitment, and desire. Finally, seek out a mentor!

GREAT EGGCASE

exciting world of

CAREER PATH?

CAREER?

introduction

rays. Connect with the John & his son enjoying the great outdoors.

Covid-19 but it

Out-tours together,

A great

into the fascinating

education provider.

With 2020 came

SHARKS & RAYS

THRESHER SHARKS Discover the

super agile, fishherding, thresher sharks. Made up of 3 different species.

And, there’s more on

Threshers use their tail like a whip to stun prey. stirring up dinner at lightning speed!

the way... Check out the link below.

27.

BIG THANKS TO OUR INCREDIBLE FUNDRAISERS…

A

YOUR LETTERS

WE LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU! WRITE TO US AT FOCUS@SHARKTRUST.ORG AND YOU MAY APPEAR IN OUR NEXT ISSUE…

FIN-TASTIC!

THEA (AGE 9) raised £160 to help support sharks.

CHRISTMAS SHARK

FIN cycled an incredible 100 miles, raising £560.

EGGCASE HUNTING

FAITH (AGE 11) climbed Mount Snowdon, raising £320.00 in support of our Stop Shark Finning Campaign.

Congratulations to our youngest eggcase hunter! While out with her dad, Elodie found her first eggcase, belonging to a Smallspotted Catshark, on East Preston Beach in Sussex. Great find Elodie – may this be the first of many!

ELODIE (AGE 8 MONTHS)

A

Monty is incredible at finding shark and ray eggcases. After a stormy tide he and his dad found 97 at Studland Bay in Dorset. And that was in one morning! Nice work Monty and dad!!

MONTY (AGE 5)

YOUR AMAZING SHARK ART…

WOW!

Also check out p.22 to find out about Hector’s winter bivvy to save sharks.

We love this mother and son collaboration!

Emerson drew these suer-cute sharks, and his mum created this fun pattern by scanning and colouring them up on the computer.

EMERSON & MUM “This is a Great White Shark jumping out of the water and making a big splash. It is also a Christmas Shark wearing a Christmas hat. What does it eat? The green fish in the picture, and also salmon and dolphins.”

NIKA (AGE 5)

Gills vs. Lungs

29.

how about sharks and wanted to know “I have been doing some research it but breath out of water. I tried Googling long a nurse shark can hold its se?” plea know the answer couldn’t find an answer. Do you t really ! Sharks don’t have lungs, so can’ Liam Shark Trust: Great question water. the have gills that absorb oxygen in hold their breath. Instead, they out flow of water into their mouth and To do this they need a constant . So, ming swim keep to d most sharks nee through their gills, which is why and n ope they l, still on the sea floor? Wel how come Nurse Sharks can lie e sam the h water through their gills in muc close their mouths. This forces out this. how long they could survive with way. But we don’t know exactly

sharktrust.org/pups-zone

© XXXXXXXX

STAR LETTER

BY LIAM CLAYDON, AGE 9

, S E T A K S , S K R A H S …

S N E K C I AND CH WHAT DO THEY HAVE IN COMMON?

ARK

LIFECYCLE OF A SHARK

© SHANE GROSS

E BY LAYING EGGS. UC OD PR RE L AL EY TH !

IT T GO U YEP, YO

Well, to be precise, not all sharks lay eggs. But some do. And this bunch are very particular about choosing just the right spot to lay them. The perfect place includes: ✔ ✔ Little to no predators ✔ ✔ ✔ Plenty of shelter and hiding places ✔✔✔ L ots of food for when their pups hatch They may not stay around to rear their young, but these sharks do their very best to give them the finest start in life…

Name:

© XXXXXXXX

Created with TheTeachersCorner.net Word Search Maker

WORDSEARCH

B

T

H

D

K

P

W

S

P

O

T

T

E

D

R

A

T

F

I

S

H

R

U

H

C

H

A

I

N

C

A

T

S

H

A

R

K

E

X

K

Z

R

K

R

A

H

S

L

L

E

W

S

N

A

I

L

A

R

T

S

U

A

D

Y

J

M

J

M

J

P

U

T

H

C

C

E

E

M

L

D

X

A

C

G

N

R

O

H

D

E

T

S

E

R

C

N

J

B

P

Y

F

X

X

V

K

The following sharks, skate, and chimaera are

A

U

N

E

C

K

L

A

C

E

C

A

R

P

E

T

S

H

A

R

K

egg-laying species. Can you find all 20 hidden

L

O

N

G

T

A

I

L

E

D

C

A

R

P

E

T

S

H

A

R

K

in the wordsearch below?

Q

Y

Y

A

R

N

W

O

R

B

U

V

V

A

Z

Y

S

T

E

C

D

R

U

S

T

Y

C

A

R

P

E

T

S

H

A

R

K

H

R

A

B

T

PORT JACKSON

LONGTAILED CARPETSHARK

J

J

W

H

M

J

L

E

T

T

E

L

U

A

P

E

Q

U

T

A

Y

CRESTED HORN

RUSTY CARPETSHARK

X

A

R

B

E

Z

N

E

T

A

K

S

G

I

B

M

I

E

U

C

Y

EPAULETTE

NECKLACE CARPETSHARK

U

G

F

A

I

F

E

T

A

K

S

L

E

D

N

U

O

R

H

X

Z

HAPPY EDDIE

BIG SKATE

P

G

F

N

V

Y

K

W

G

J

F

H

A

P

P

Y

E

D

D

I

E

E

T

A

K

S

E

S

O

N

T

F

O

S

N

A

C

I

R

F

A

S

ZEBRA

CHAIN CATSHARK

Q

K

C

L

E

A

R

N

O

S

E

S

K

A

T

E

P

J

K

E

Y

AFRICAN SOFTNOSE SKATE CLEARNOSE SKATE

V

G

Y

D

M

E

L

E

P

H

A

N

T

F

I

S

H

K

H

C

H

BIGTHORN SKATE

LITTLE SKATE

B

R

O

W

N

B

A

N

D

E

D

B

A

M

B

O

O

Z

W

Z

C

BROWN RAY

ROUNDEL SKATE

C

F

P

O

R

T

J

A

C

K

S

O

N

P

K

E

B

Z

O

H

S

V

B

Z

Y

U

H

Z

I

E

T

A

K

S

E

L

T

T

I

L

O

K

BROWNBANDED BAMBOO

AUSTRALIAN SWELLSHARK

ELEPHANTFISH

SPOTTED RATFISH

F

E

B

B

X

P

F

E

D

K

D

M

M

F

X

L

D

V

U

J

I

W

G

E

C

E

T

A

K

S

N

R

O

H

T

G

I

B

X

D

W

L

PORT JACKSON HAPPY EDDIE sharktrust.org/pups-zone BIGTHORN SKATE ELEPHANTFISH

CRESTED HORN

EPAULETTE

ZEBRA

AFRICAN SOFTNOSE SKATE

BROWN RAY LONGTAILED CARPETSHARK

BROWNBANDED BAMBOO RUSTY CARPETSHARK

28.

0.

T I E V E I L E B

OR NOT?

THE WEIRD & WONDERFUL WORLD OF SHARK EGGS

As a Pup’s Club member, we’re sure you’re well up on your eggcases. But here are 5 exotic shark eggcases you may not be so familiar with...

CHIMAERA EGGS: Chimaera, aka ghost sharks, are closely related to sharks & skates. All 50 known species reproduce by laying eggs. And these are perhaps the most elaborate and bizarre of all! Just look at this incredible eggcase, which belongs to the deep-sea

LSHARK: AUSTRALIAN SWEL

SHARK: CRESTED HORN EGGCASE:

ases ped, these eggc Being spiral-sha rocks. n ee tw dging be are perfect for we ay aw ed sh wa getting This stops them s. by ocean current SIZE: 11cm hs TCHES: 5-9 mont

HA

a

FOUND: Australi SHARK FACT:

c to arks are endemi Crested Hornsh here. em th d fin u’ll only Australia, so yo

EGGCASE:

PORT JACKSON:

EGGCASE:

Port Jacksons also lay

but these don’t have

the end.

SIZE: 15cm HATCHES: 10-11 month

s

FOUND: Australia SHARK FACT: Both the Cre

sted kson are bullhead

Hornshark & Port Jac heads & thick ridges

31.

frills! spiral eggcases,

curly tendrils at

sharks. A group known

eoyant, these orang Beautiful & flamb the all th wi me co yellow eggcases

SIZE: 9.5-13cm s HATCHES: 12 month FOUND: Australia SHARK FACT:

s dators, swellshark To scare away pre ir the up ff pu to ter will gulp down wa them look big & stomachs. Making intimidating.

for having large

over their eyes.

sharktrust.org/pups-zone

© ADI BARASH; GEETIKA SHARMA; ANTHONY PEARSON/FLICKR.

Elephantfish!!

T

?

O H W S ’ O WH ARK MATCH THE EGGCASE WITH THE SH 1

THAT LAID THEM...

2

A

3

B

HAPPY EDDIE

4

C

AUSTRALIAN SWELLSHARK

5

D

CRESTED HORNSHARK

E

PORT JACKSON

ZEBRA SHARK

ANSWERS AT THE BOT

TOM OF THE PAGE

HAPPY EDDIE:

BIG SKATE

EGGCASE:

Looking splendid in stri

the prize for snazziest

SIZE: 3.5–5cm

pes, this wins pattern.

HATCHES: 3 months FOUND: South Africa Happy Eddie are known

ZEBRA SHARK: EGGCASE:

ls of joy come in These little parce wn, and purple. shades of green, bro

SHARK FACT: for being rather

shy. When threatened , they’ll curl up with their tail over their eyes, to protect themselves.

SIZE: 17cm nths HATCHES: 4-6 mo ific FOUND: Indo-Pac

SHARK FACT:

to keep moving to Most sharks need en Zebra Sharks. Wh ‘breathe’. But not gh ou thr ter wa in resting, they’ll suck ls. eze it over their gil ue sq & uth mo ir the

sharktrust.org/pups-zone

:

EGGCASE:

Most eggc ases are ho me to just on embryo. But e , the Big Sk ate eggcas can get a bi e t crowded with up to 7!

SIZE: 21-28c m

HATCHES: 6-20 month s FOUND: Nor

SHARK FAC

th Pacific O

T:

cean

Big Skate ar e the larges t skate in N American w orth aters. They ca n grow to 2.4m & live up to 26 ye ars.

ANSWERS: 1B 2E 3D 4A 5C

© ANDY MURCH/NATURE PL; TEERASAK KHUNRACH/SHUTTERSTOCK; JOE BAUMGARTEN; ALEX MUSTARD/NATURE PL JOHN TURNBULL/FLICKR; GARY BELL OCEANWIDE/NATURE PL; PETER LANZERSDORFER/SHUTTERSTOCK.

SKATE EGGS

30.

0.

BABY SHARKS...

© ADI BARESH

Pu p’s b ! u l C

© XXXXXXXX

UL THE WEIRD & WONDERF WORLD OF SHARK EGGS

YOU’RE AMAZING

All YOUR news and achievements!! sharktrust.org/pups-zone

PUZZLES & GAMES 0.