Marine biologist Sara Al-Mabrouk has spearheaded the launch of an unprecedented national initiative in Libya aimed at shielding the Angelshark from extinction across the country’s coastal waters. This urgent action comes in response to the severe and ongoing decline of the species throughout the Mediterranean Sea basin.
Al-Mabrouk asserted that protecting this species is more than just a scientific endeavour; it is a “national and environmental duty” crucial for preserving the natural balance of a marine environment upon which thousands of coastal families depend for their daily livelihoods. She explained that the Angelshark (Squatina squatina) is listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as “Critically Endangered,” meaning any further population loss could lead to its complete disappearance within a few decades.
Vital Role and Bycatch Challenge
Al-Mabrouk stressed that the disappearance of this predator from Libyan waters would signal a “major imbalance in the marine ecosystem,” given the Angelshark’s critical role in regulating the food chain. Its flat body and broad fins give it a ray-like appearance, and it typically resides in shallow, sandy areas. It is known for its “ambush predation” strategy, burying itself in the sand for camouflage before attacking its prey. Its average length is between one and one and a half metres, though females can reach up to approximately two and a half metres.
Accidental bycatch is considered the biggest threat to this creature. Angelsharks are frequently caught unintentionally in bottom trawling nets used for other species. To combat this, Al-Mabrouk’s Marine Biology Association of Libya has begun organising workshops to train local fishermen on how to properly identify the Angelshark and safely release it when accidentally caught.
Surprise Discovery in the Gulf of Sirte
Between 2020 and 2021, the association, headed by Al-Mabrouk, recorded over fifty confirmed sightings of the species in the Gulf of Sirte. This discovery marked a scientific turning point, as it came after years of the prevailing belief that the species was entirely extinct in Mediterranean waters. Consequently, the association has designated the Gulf of Sirte as a “primary natural breeding site.”
Al-Mabrouk noted that finding this group provided a strong impetus for establishing a national database to monitor the shark population, documenting its behaviour, movement patterns, and location during breeding periods. The effort relies on volunteer divers and local fishermen, alongside collaboration with experts from the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and specialised European research institutions for data collection and coastal awareness campaigns.
In conclusion, Al-Mabrouk highlighted ongoing efforts by the UN and UNEP, in coordination with Libyan authorities, to include the Angelshark on national protection lists and establish small marine reserves in its breeding areas. She also warned that unregulated coastal development, marine pollution, and climate change exacerbate the danger to the species’ survival due to their negative impact on bottom-dwelling conditions.
