Working with anglers to save England's sharks

In July, a six‑day fishing expedition in the middle of the English Channel ended without a catch, despite the presence of seasoned anglers and ecologist Lucy Hawkes. The team, which included Hawkes and two local fishermen reputed to have the most experience with Channel thresher sharks, set out on a small boat in hopes of landing a prized specimen of the elusive species.

The weather proved unpredictable throughout the trip, with sudden shifts in wind and sea conditions that complicated the search for thresher sharks. The crew attempted various techniques and deployed standard bait, yet no sharks were sighted or captured during the six days of effort. Hawkes noted that the lack of success was not unusual given the species’ rarity and the variable marine environment.

The expedition concluded with the team returning to shore, having gained additional observational data on Channel thresher shark behaviour and habitat use. While no sharks were taken, the experience is expected to contribute to ongoing research efforts aimed at understanding and conserving the species in the region.