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There are few sharks that are large and threatening enough to create the large, threatening shadow of a great white in our waters.

But there are many different kinds of shark - of numerous sizes, colours and varieties - that can be seen along British shorelines and across the world.

Perhaps least shark-like of all is the angel shark. With its flattened body and muscular tail, this unique species was once a common feature seen gliding across the seabed in the shallow waters of the Welsh coast.

Despite their previous abundance, the angel shark can now only be spotted reliably around the Canary Islands.

The angel shark was categorised as critically endangered in 2010 and are now just a single step away from being declared extinct in the wild.

(Image: Visit Wales)

Their original range stretched from Scandinavia to North West Africa but their numbers are thought to have declined so drastically during the past 50 years, they are now almost completely extinct within the North Sea and extremely uncommon elsewhere.

But in recent years there have been numerous sightings and accidental captures off the Welsh coast, particularly in Cardigan Bay, prompting conservation groups to urge more people to report more sightings and record their numbers.

In an effort to get a better idea of their behaviour and population in Wales, the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) and NRW are running a joint project aiming to encourage people to report all sightings of the creatures.

(Image: Zoological Society of London)

The Angel Shark Project aims to encourage people living and working in five key areas: North Anglesey, the Llŷn Peninsula, Porthmadog to Aberarth, Fishguard to Milton Haven, and Swansea to Porthcawl.

Marine ecologist at Natural Resources Wales (NRW) Ben Wray said: "Basically the whole area around the top east Atlantic and the Irish Sea used to be a common area for the angel shark to be seen and for a number of years those numbers have gone down.

"But accidental captures of the shark show that Cardigan Bay, particularly around Barmouth, in mid Wales could be an important area for the species.

"Those waters in the summer months have got elevated temperatures and it's quite shallow and angel sharks tend to prefer sandy habitats that are closer to rocky reefs.

"At the moment we are not really sure if the angel shark is here round the year - we know very little about the ecology of the shark in Welsh waters at the moment."

(Image: Zoological Society of London)

Angel sharks are frequently caught as bycatch, scooped up by bottom trawling or caught in miles of tangle nets set on the seabed.

Mr Wray said fisherman may have been less inclined to report accidental catches in the past due to their protected status.

"There are a lot of different factors that could have affected sightings being reported," he said. "But it seems that some felt they were going to be penalised because it's a protected species.

"We want to dispel that feeling and let people know that it's fine to come forward and record these sightings."

He added: "This data will be vital in building a clearer picture of the status and ecology of angel sharks in Wales as well as informing the Wales angel shark action plan, which we hope will help guide the project towards success.”