Sea Life Hunstanton team record more than 150 sharks off Norfolk coast in one night as part of conservation project

A conservation project run by Sea Life Hunstanton has recorded more than 150 sharks off the coast in one single night.

The team at the coastal attraction is highlighting its work, which aims to uncover the secrets of local shark populations through night-time tagging expeditions.

The goal is to gather crucial data on the creatures’ behaviour, migration patterns and population dynamics in UK waters.

It is hoped that it will contribute to the development of conservation strategies that aim to help ensure that the UK’s shark populations can thrive for years to come.

The efforts often take place in the early hours of the morning at various locations along the Norfolk coast.

The Sea Life Hunstanton team sets up to catch sharks, documenting their weight, size, gender and other essential data before tagging them with a small, unobtrusive dart tag.

Once this important information is gathered and the tag has been fitted, the sharks are swiftly released back into the ocean in a process that takes less than a minute.

Fitting the tag ensures ongoing tracking and data collection can occur, creating insights into shark distribution and movement patterns, all while ensuring the creatures are not harmed.

Mark Hind, curator at Sea Life Hunstanton, has been dedicated to shark conservation for years - having first started the shark tagging project in Scotland whilst working as the curator at Sea Life Loch Lomond.

"Tagging and tracking sharks is essential for understanding their behaviours and migration patterns, which are crucial for developing effective conservation strategies,” he said.

“By identifying key areas for protection, we can better safeguard these incredible marine animals.”

The tracking doesn’t stop after the initial tagging.

Sea Life Hunstanton collaborates with local anglers and fishers, asking them to record and report any tagged sharks they encounter.

This effort helps gather comprehensive data, building a bigger picture of shark movements and habits.

This initiative is a long-term project dedicated to ensuring sharks thrive for years to come.

By continuously collecting and analysing data, Sea Life Hunstanton, along with other similar initiatives which take place up and down the county, aims to develop strategies that support the health and sustainability of shark populations in UK waters.

Officials said that native sharks face numerous dangers, including entanglement in fishing nets, by-catch, overfishing, shark finning, and accidental capture.

“Highlighting these threats underscores the importance of conservation efforts and the urgent need to protect these incredible creatures,” a Sea Life spokesperson said.

The research project on the Norfolk coastline mainly focuses on two species of shark - the Common Smoothhound and the critically endangered Tope Shark. Both types are harmless to humans and play crucial roles in the marine ecosystem.

“This is one of many reasons why shark tagging proves to be important regarding the study of these magnificent creatures, which is why looking closely at the practice of shark tagging and its overall contribution to environmental studies proves to be extremely valuable,” the spokesperson added.

“The Norfolk coast is a haven for shark species. The Common Smoothhound, a not-so-common shark with a smooth, bronzy look can grow up to a huge 164cm and are the gentle giants of the shallows.

“Swimming alongside them is the Tope Shark, an elegant nomad of the seas, known for its epic journeys from the UK to the Canary Islands.

“These sleek swimmers can measure up to 195cm in length and weigh approximately 45kg. Sadly, they are critically endangered according to the IUCN Red List.

“According to the Shark Trust charity there are a surprising 21 permanent resident species roaming beneath the waves of the British coast, with approximately 40 different types inhabiting the waters surrounding the UK, usually in the warmer months.

“Sea Life Hunstanton is dedicated to marine conservation and protection through educational programs and initiatives.

“This shark tagging project is a testament to the site’s commitment to understanding and preserving marine life.”

To find out more about the site’s conservation efforts, visit: https://www.visitsealife.com/hunstanton/conservation/

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