Endangered Angelsharks Are Tagged and Monitored off the Canary Islands | VOA News

Angelsharks are being caught and tagged in the Canary Islands for conservation efforts by a group called the Angel Shark Project. The species is critically endangered, but a beach in Tenerife is the largest known nursery in the world for the fish.

There are around 23 species of angel shark that belong to the Squatinidae family. When referred to collectively as a family, the separated term "angel sharks" is used. When referring to individuals within the species they are called angelsharks.

Angel sharks used to be commonly found along the coasts of Europe and Africa, but now they have disappeared from many of their former hunting grounds. They have been listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List since 2006.

Angel Shark Project aims to learn about their habits, genetics and development to help inform policies that could protect them.