Updated version July 2026 by Pablo Pereda Bezanilla Shark Angels Intern
Spain Sharks and Their Status: Overview
Spain’s waters, stretching across the Atlantic Ocean, the Bay of Biscay, and the Mediterranean Sea, are home to one of the richest diversities of sharks and rays in Europe. More than 100 species have been recorded here, ranging from small coastal sharks like the small-spotted catshark to wide-ranging ocean predators such as the blue shark and the shortfin mako.
This diversity makes Spain a critical region for shark conservation. Nowhere is this more evident than in the Mediterranean Sea, a global hotspot for marine biodiversity that is also one of the most threatened areas in the world. According to the IUCN, over half of shark and ray species in the Mediterranean are at risk of extinction.
Some species highlight this crisis clearly. Angel sharks, once common along European coasts, have disappeared from most of their range and now survive mainly around the Canary Islands. The shortfin mako, one of the fastest sharks in the ocean, has also declined sharply due to decades of overfishing.
Spain therefore sits at the center of a global challenge: it is both a refuge for endangered species and historically one of the world’s leading shark-fishing nations.
For a broader view of global protections, see the Shark Angels Shark Status, Laws + Loopholes by Country Hub.
Major Threats to Sharks in Spain
Overfishing and Bycatch
The biggest threat to sharks in Spain is fishing pressure. For decades, Spanish fleets have been among the largest contributors to global shark catches, particularly through longline fisheries targeting tuna and swordfish.
In these fisheries, sharks are often caught unintentionally. This bycatch is especially damaging because many species grow slowly and reproduce late in life. Juvenile sharks, including blue sharks and makos, are frequently caught before they have a chance to reproduce, making population recovery extremely difficult.
Even when regulations exist, the wide-ranging nature of these fisheries means that sharks migrating through Spanish waters can be impacted far beyond national boundaries.More on threats facing sharks
Mislabeling and Shark Consumption
Shark meat is widely consumed in Spain, but not always transparently. It is commonly sold under names such as cazón, tintorera, or marrajo, which can obscure the species being consumed.
This lack of clarity creates a serious conservation issue. Consumers may unknowingly purchase meat from threatened or protected species, including those regulated under international agreements like CITES.
Investigations have shown that seafood mislabeling is relatively common, meaning that even well-intentioned consumers may contribute to shark declines without realizing it.
Habitat Loss and Climate Change
Beyond fishing, sharks in Spain face growing pressure from habitat degradation. Coastal development, tourism, and pollution, particularly in the Mediterranean, are damaging key ecosystems such as seagrass meadows and shallow nursery areas.
These habitats are essential for many species. Angel sharks, for example, rely on sandy seabeds for camouflage and reproduction. When these areas are disturbed, their chances of survival drop significantly.
Climate change is adding another layer of stress. Rising sea temperatures and shifting prey distributions are altering migration patterns and ecosystem balance, making it harder for shark populations to recover.
Frequently Asked Questions about sharks in Spain
Q: Are there sharks in Spain?
Yes. Spain is home to more than 100 species of sharks and rays, making it one of the most diverse regions in Europe for these animals. These species range from small coastal sharks to large migratory predators that travel across the Atlantic.
Q: Are sharks found near beaches in Spain?
Yes, sharks do exist in Spanish coastal waters, but they are rarely seen near beaches. Most species prefer deeper waters or areas farther offshore. Encounters close to shore are extremely uncommon, and sharks generally avoid areas with high human activity.
Q: Are sharks in Spain dangerous?
No. The risk of a shark attack in Spain is extremely low. Most species found in these waters are harmless to humans, and even larger sharks tend to avoid people.
Q: Have there been fatal shark attacks in Spain?
Fatal shark attacks in Spain are extremely rare. There are very few confirmed cases in modern history, and none represent a significant or ongoing risk to the public. Overall, the likelihood of a dangerous encounter is negligible.
Q: Are there great white sharks near Spain?
Yes, but very rarely. Great white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) have been occasionally recorded in the western Mediterranean. However, sightings near Spanish coasts are extremely uncommon, and they are not considered a regular presence.
Q: Are there tiger sharks in Spain?
Tiger sharks (Galeocerdo cuvier) are not normally found in Spain. They are a tropical species and do not form part of the regular fauna in Spanish waters. In very rare cases, they could appear in warmer regions such as the Canary Islands, but this would be highly unusual.
Q: What is the biggest shark in Spain?
The basking shark (Cetorhinus maximus) is the largest shark found in Spanish waters and can grow up to 10 meters long. Despite its size, it is completely harmless, as it feeds on plankton near the surface.
Q: Where are sharks most often spotted in Spain, and where can you see them?
Sharks in Spain are most commonly found in specific regions, usually away from crowded beaches and in offshore or protected areas.
- The Canary Islands are one of the best places in Europe to see sharks, especially angel sharks, which can often be spotted by divers in sandy coastal areas.
- Offshore waters in Galicia and southern Spain (Andalusia) are known for blue sharks and occasionally makos, particularly on guided boat trips.
- The Bay of Biscay, including the Basque Country, is one of the few places where basking sharks are occasionally seen, especially during spring and summer when they come closer to the surface to feed.
Q: Are sharks protected in Spain?
Yes, but protections vary by species. Spain follows European Union regulations and international agreements such as CITES. Some species, like angel sharks, are fully protected, while others are managed through fishing restrictions and trade controls.
Q: What are the biggest threats to sharks in Spain?
The main threats include overfishing, accidental capture (bycatch), mislabeling of shark meat, habitat degradation, and climate change. Together, these pressures have led to significant declines in many species, especially in the Mediterranean.
Shark Populations in Spain
Spain’s waters host a wide range of shark species, from common coastal sharks to highly migratory ocean predators. Below are some of the most representative species and where they can be found:
Angel sharks (Squatina squatina, S. aculeata, S. oculata) – Critically Endangered
- Where: Canary Islands
- Habitat: Sandy seabeds, shallow coastal waters
- Diet: Fish and small invertebrates
- Notes: One of the last strongholds in the world; mostly seen at night
Blue shark(Prionace glauca) –Near Threatened
- Where: Offshore Atlantic waters
- Habitat: Open ocean
- Diet: Fish and squid
- When: More common in warmer months
- Notes: One of the most heavily fished sharks globally
Shortfin mako (Isurus oxyrinchus) – Endangered
- Where: Atlantic, migratory routes
- Habitat: Open ocean
- Diet: Fast-moving fish like tuna
- Notes: Highly impacted by longline fisheries
Basking shark (Cetorhinus maximus) – Endangered
- Where: Northern Spain, Bay of Biscay
- Habitat: Surface waters
- Diet: Plankton
- When: Spring–summer
- Notes: Harmless filter feeder, second-largest fish in the world
Small-spotted catshark (Scyliorhinus canicula) – Least Concern
- Where: Coastal waters across Spain
- Habitat: Seabed
- Diet: Crustaceans and small fish
- Notes: One of the most common sharks in Spain
Tope shark (Galeorhinus galeus) – Vulnerable
- Where: Coastal Atlantic and Mediterranean
- Diet: Fish and cephalopods
- Notes: Important for recreational fisheries
Smoothhound sharks (Mustelus spp.) – Least Concern
- Where: Coastal sandy areas
- Diet: Crustaceans
- Notes: Common in shallow waters
Hammerhead sharks (e.g., Sphyrna zygaena) – Vulnerable
- Where: Offshore and occasionally coastal
- Diet: Fish and rays
- Notes: Occasionally recorded in Spanish waters
Deep-sea sharks (e.g., gulper shark Centrophorus granulosus – Critically Endangered)
- Where: Deep Atlantic waters
- Habitat: Continental slopes
- Notes: Extremely slow-growing and highly vulnerable
Shark protection and laws in Spain
Spain’s shark conservation framework is shaped by a combination of European Union regulations, international agreements, and national biodiversity laws. Together, these instruments aim not only to limit overfishing but also to improve traceability, enforce sustainable practices, and ensure long-term ecosystem stability. By combining fisheries management with species protection and habitat conservation, the framework addresses both direct and indirect pressures on shark populations across Spanish and Atlantic waters.
Council Regulation (EC) No 1185/2003:
- Requires sharks to be landed with fins naturally attached, a measure designed to eliminate the practice of “finning,” where fins are removed and bodies discarded at sea.
- This rule increases accountability by making it easier for inspectors to identify species and quantify actual catches.
- It also discourages high-grading (keeping only the most valuable parts), thereby reducing waste and improving the reliability of scientific data used in stock assessments.
Regulation (EU) No 605/2013:
- Strengthens the earlier regulation by introducing stricter inspection requirements and clearer obligations for vessel operators.
- It enhances monitoring systems, including logbooks and landing declarations, which help authorities detect illegal practices and ensure compliance throughout the supply chain.
- It promotes more consistent enforcement across member states, reducing loopholes that could otherwise undermine conservation efforts.
Regulation (EU) 2019/1241:
- Establishes technical conservation measures for fisheries, including gear restrictions and operational rules that reduce accidental bycatch of non-target species such as sharks and rays. For example, it encourages the use of selective fishing gear and seasonal or spatial closures in sensitive areas.
- These measures are particularly important for slow-growing species with low reproductive rates, as even small levels of unintended capture can have significant long-term impacts on their populations.
Law 42/2007:
- Provides Spain’s overarching legal framework for biodiversity conservation.
- It integrates marine species protection into broader environmental policy, emphasizing ecosystem-based management rather than single-species approaches.
- Enables the designation of marine protected areas and recovery plans for threatened species, creating a legal basis for coordinated conservation actions at national and regional levels.
Royal Decree 139/2011:
- Implements a national catalogue of threatened species, classifying them according to their conservation status and defining specific protection measures. For listed shark species, this can include strict prohibitions on capture, trade, or disturbance, as well as requirements for recovery and monitoring plans.
- The decree plays a key role in translating broader conservation goals into targeted, enforceable actions.
EU Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC):
- Focuses on the protection of vulnerable species and habitats across Europe through the Natura 2000 network. Certain shark species, such as angel sharks (Squatina spp.), receive strict protection under this directive, meaning they cannot be deliberately captured or harmed.
- The directive also safeguards critical habitats, such as coastal nursery areas, which are essential for the survival and reproduction of these species.
- By protecting both organisms and their environments, it supports a more comprehensive approach to conservation.
Loopholes and Ongoing Challenges
Despite strong EU and Spanish legislation, shark protection is still limited by weak enforcement. Inspections at sea and in ports are inconsistent, and illegal or unreported catches often go undetected.
Traceability is another major weakness. Even with the EU finning ban, once sharks enter processing and trade systems, mislabelling and poor tracking can obscure their origin and weaken transparency in the supply chain.
Bycatch remains the single largest threat. Sharks are still frequently caught unintentionally in industrial fisheries and often discarded without accurate reporting, meaning total mortality is likely underestimated.
Major data gaps, especially for deep-sea and poorly studied species, make it difficult to design precise conservation measures.
Implementation is slow. Even when new protections are agreed at EU or international level, they often take years to translate into real enforcement on the water.
The result is a clear gap between strong legislation and weak real-world protection.
Marine Proteced Areas in Spain – Do they work?
Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are a key conservation tool in Spain, but their effectiveness varies depending on management and enforcement.
What’s working?
Spain has several important MPAs that benefit sharks and marine ecosystems, including:
- El Cachucho Marine Protected Area (Asturias) – Spain’s first offshore MPA, protecting deep-sea habitats and vulnerable species
- Cabrera National Park (Balearic Islands) – a well-enforced reserve with rich marine biodiversity
- Marine Reserve of La Graciosa and North of Lanzarote – important for coastal and migratory species
- Canary Islands protected areas – critical habitat for angel sharks
In addition to MPAs, Spain has a network of Reservas Marinas de Interés Pesquero (Marine Reserves of Fishing Interest). These areas are specifically designed to:
- Regulate fishing activity
- Allow ecosystems to recover
- Support sustainable, long-term fisheries
Examples include:
- Reserva Marina de Cabo de Palos – Islas Hormigas (Murcia)
- Reserva Marina de Tabarca (Alicante)
- Reserva Marina de Punta de La Restinga–Mar de Las Calmas (El Hierro)
These reserves have shown that well-managed fishing restrictions can increase biodiversity, fish biomass, and ecosystem resilience, indirectly benefiting shark populations as well.
The challenge
Despite this network, many protected areas still allow certain fishing practices, and enforcement can vary. For highly mobile species like sharks, protection also needs to extend beyond fixed zones.
For conservation to be effective, MPAs must be properly enforced, ecologically connected, and include key habitats such as nursery and breeding grounds.
Shark Conservation in Spain
There are many local shark + marine conservation organizations in Spain.
- SUBMON: Involved in shark and ray conservation, research and awareness in Spain.
- Fundació per la Conservació i Recuperació d’Animals Marins (CRAM): Involved in the rescue, research and conservation of marine species, including sharks and rays.
- Shark Med:Involved in the recovery and conservation of sharks in the Western Mediterranean, including research, public education and advocacy for better fisheries policies.
- Marilles Foundation: Runs the SARKO project, a three-year initiative focused on improving shark and ray conservation
- Latitud Azul: Working on sharks, rays, cetaceans and coastal ecosystems in the Canary Islands, including citizen science.
Learn more about our global efforts on the Shark Angels Conservation page.
Diving with Sharks in Spain
Spain is one of the best places in Europe to observe sharks in the wild, especially in the Mediterranean and Atlantic waters around the islands and southern coast.
- Canary Islands: Angel sharks, hammerheads, and occasional deep-water species (year-round, best visibility in warmer months).
- Balearic Islands (Mallorca, Menorca): Blue sharks and occasional pelagic species offshore (late spring – early autumn).
- Mediterranean coast (Catalonia, Valencia): Smooth-hounds and small coastal shark species (summer).
- Strait of Gibraltar: One of the most biodiverse shark migration routes in Europe, with blue sharks and other pelagics passing through (late spring – autumn offshore).
- South Atlantic coast (Andalusia, Cádiz): Occasional sightings of blue sharks and other migratory species offshore (mainly summer months).
Shark encounters in Spain are mostly offshore or in protected habitats, and responsible, low-impact wildlife tourism is essential to avoid disturbing vulnerable populations.
Always choose responsible operators and follow the Shark Angels shark diving codes of conduct.
How to Protect Sharks in Spain
Protecting sharks in Spain requires coordinated action from governments, industry, and consumers. Small changes at every level can make a real difference.
- Policymakers should strengthen enforcement and monitoring to ensure fishing laws are properly applied. Improving traceability in seafood supply chains can prevent mislabelling and illegal trade. It is also important to reduce bycatch by promoting safer fishing practices and to expand and effectively manage Marine Protected Areas.
- Residents can help by making informed consumer choices, avoiding shark products, and choosing sustainably sourced seafood. Supporting transparent supply chains and local sustainable initiatives also contributes to conservation.
- Tourists should support responsible tourism by choosing ethical diving operators, avoiding shark souvenirs, and consuming sustainable seafood.
Together, these actions help shift shark conservation from policy to real protection in the ocean.
Conclusion: A Shared Responsibility
Sharks play a vital role in maintaining the balance of marine ecosystems, yet many species in Spain are in decline.
Because Spain is both a major fishing nation and a biodiversity hotspot, it has a unique responsibility, and opportunity, to lead in shark conservation.
With stronger enforcement, informed consumer choices, continued research, and international cooperation, meaningful progress is possible.
Protecting sharks is not just about saving individual species. It is about safeguarding the health and resilience of our oceans for generations to come.
References
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FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture - European Commission. (2013). Regulation (EU) No 605/2013 amending Council Regulation (EC) No 1185/2003 on the removal of shark fins on board vessels. Recuperado de:
EUR-Lex EU Law Database - European Union. (2003). Council Regulation (EC) No 1185/2003 on the removal of shark fins on board vessels. Recuperado de:
EUR-Lex EU Law Database - European Union. (2019). Regulation (EU) 2019/1241 on the conservation of fisheries resources and protection of marine ecosystems. Recuperado de:
EUR-Lex EU Law Database - Gobierno de España. (2007). Ley 42/2007, del Patrimonio Natural y de la Biodiversidad. Boletín Oficial del Estado (BOE). Recuperado de:
Boletín Oficial del Estado (BOE) - Gobierno de España. (2011). Real Decreto 139/2011, para el desarrollo del Listado de Especies Silvestres en Régimen de Protección Especial. Recuperado de:
Boletín Oficial del Estado (BOE) - European Commission. (1992). Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (Habitats Directive). Recuperado de:
European Commission Environment - Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). (2026). CITES Appendices I, II and III. Recuperado de:
CITES Official Website - Dulvy, N. K., Fowler, S. L., Musick, J. A., et al. (2014). Extinction risk and conservation of the world’s sharks and rays. eLife, 3, e00590.
- Ferretti, F., Worm, B., Britten, G. L., Heithaus, M. R., & Lotze, H. K. (2010). Patterns and ecosystem consequences of shark declines in the ocean. Ecology Letters, 13(8), 1055–1071.
- Last, P. R., White, W. T., de Carvalho, M. R., et al. (2016). Rays of the World. CSIRO Publishing.
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- Shark Angels. (2026). Shark Status, Laws + Loopholes by Country Hub. Recuperado de:
Shark Angels - Ministerio para la Transición Ecológica y el Reto Demográfico (MITECO). (2026). Información sobre biodiversidad marina y áreas protegidas. Recuperado de:
MITECO