Updated May 1, 2025 by Xenia Anagnostou – University of Plymouth Marine Conservation Masters student and Shark Angels Intern

UK Sharks: Status + Overview

The waters around the United Kingdom are home to around 40 species of sharks, ranging from small coastal dogfish to the second-largest fish in the world, the basking shark. Some species are permanent residents, while others migrate through seasonally, following temperature changes and prey movements.

UK Sharks face threats from overfishing, bycatch, and mislabeling of shark meat. According to the IUCN Red List, more than half of British shark species are classified as Threatened or Near Threatened, and a few, like the angel shark, have disappeared from most of their historic range.

For a broader view of global protections, see the Shark Angels Shark Status, Laws + Loopholes by Country Hub.

Major Threats to Sharks in United Kingdom Waters

Overfishing and Bycatch

Overfishing is the primary threat to shark species, largely driven by demand for shark products. In addition, bycatch- when sharks are unintentionally caught in fishing gear-poses a serious challenge. Though exact numbers of shark accidental catch is difficult to determine due to limited monitoring and reporting, bycatch is widely recognized as a major contributor to shark mortality. Alarmingly, bycatch and overfishing have led to the decline of over 50% of British shark species, many of which are now classified as Threatened or Near Threatened, Some populations have experienced staggering declines of up to 99%. More on threats facing sharks

Mislabeling and Illegal Sales

Mislabeling is another major issue impacting shark conservation. Shark species such as vulnerable Spiny Dogfish are often sold under generic terms like “Rock”, “Rock Salmon”, and “Huss”. Even though the commercial catch and landing of spiny dogfish was banned in 2011, they continue to be caught as bycatch due to legal loopholes in EU law.

Addition to the concern, DNA barcoding studies have revealed that processed food products sold in UK restaurants, fishmongers, and Asian food wholesalers sometimes contain meat or fins from endangered shark species-such as the scalloped hammerhead-even though they are not native to UK waters.

More on mislabeling.

Historically, the UK ranked fourth among EU coastal states in shark landings. This underscores the significant role domestic fisheries have played in depletion of shark populations, highlighting the need for stricter regulations and more effective conservation strategies.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sharks in the UK

Q: Are there sharks in UK waters?
Yes. Around 40 species of sharks are found in UK waters, from the gentle basking shark – the second-largest fish in the world – to sleek oceanic predators like blue and porbeagle sharks. Many species are year-round residents, while others migrate through seasonally.

Q: Are sharks in the UK dangerous?
The risk of a dangerous encounter is extremely low. The UK has no recorded fatal shark attacks in modern history. Most species here are harmless to humans, and even larger predatory sharks like porbeagles and blue sharks tend to avoid people.

Q: What is the biggest shark in the UK?
The basking shark (Cetorhinus maximus), which can grow up to 10 metres long. Despite its size, it’s a harmless filter-feeder that eats plankton.

Q: Can you dive or snorkel with sharks in the UK?
Yes. Popular shark diving and snorkeling spots include Cornwall and the Hebrides for basking sharks, and offshore Cornwall trips for blue sharks in summer. Always choose responsible operators who follow codes of conduct.

Q: Are UK sharks protected by law?
Yes, but protections vary by species. Basking and angel sharks are fully protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act. Other species are managed through quotas, trade restrictions, or seasonal closures. The Shark Fins Act (2023) also bans the import and export of detached fins and products containing them.

Q: What threats do sharks in the UK face?
The biggest threats are overfishing, bycatch, mislabeling of shark meat, habitat loss, and historical involvement in the global fin trade. Climate change is also affecting migration and feeding patterns.

Q: How can I help protect sharks in the UK?
Avoid shark fin products, choose sustainable seafood, report illegal sales, support conservation groups like the Shark Trust or Shark Angels, and take part in citizen science projects.

Q: When is the best time to see sharks in the UK?
May to October is best for basking sharks and blue sharks, while species like porbeagle and spurdog can be found year-round in deeper waters.

Shark Populations in the UK

Basking shark (Cetorhinus maximus): Endangered

• Where: Cornwall, Isle of Man, Hebrides, western Scotland.
• When: Most common May – October.
• Frequency: Regular seasonal sightings; peak years can bring hundreds of reports.
• Notes: Harmless plankton feeder; often seen near the surface in calm seas.

Blue shark (Prionace glauca): Near Threatened

• Where: Offshore southwest England and Wales, Celtic Sea.
• When: June – October, when warmer Atlantic waters move north.
• Frequency: Reliable offshore encounters on boat trips from Penzance or Newquay; numbers vary year to year.

Porbeagle shark (Lamna nasus): Vulnerable

• Where: Celtic Sea, southwest England, western approaches.
• When: Year-round, with peaks in spring and autumn.
• Frequency: Uncommon close to shore; more often recorded by offshore anglers.

Tope shark (Galeorhinus galeus): Critically Endangered globally, Vulnerable NE Atlantic

• Where: Coastal waters of Wales, southwest England, southern North Sea.
• When: Spring and summer inshore; winter offshore.
• Frequency: Common target for recreational catch-and-release angling.

Spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias): Vulnerable

• Where: Widespread in deeper coastal and shelf waters around the UK.
• When: Year-round.
• Frequency: Historically abundant; now recovering in some areas under strict catch limits.

Thresher shark (Alopias vulpinus): Vulnerable

• Where: English Channel, southwest approaches.
• When: Rare summer visitor.
• Frequency: Occasional sightings from fishing vessels or divers in offshore waters.

Smoothhound (Mustelus asterias): Least Concern

• Where: English Channel, southern North Sea.
• When: Late spring to early autumn.
• Frequency: Common inshore species for anglers.

Deep-water sharks – gulper (Centrophorus granulosus, Critically Endangered), kitefin (Dalatias licha, Near Threatened), Portuguese dogfish (Centroscymnus coelolepis, Near Threatened)

• Where: Rockall Trough, Porcupine Bank, and deeper slopes of the continental shelf.
• When: Year-round.
• Frequency: Rarely seen by the public; caught incidentally in deep-sea trawls.

Shark Protection and Laws in the UK

Shark Finning Ban (2003)

• Outlawed the removal of fins at sea and discarding of the body.
• Applied to all UK vessels and foreign vessels in UK waters.

Fins Naturally Attached Policy (2009)

• Required all sharks to be landed with fins still attached, making it harder to disguise illegal finning.
• This is still one of the most effective anti-finning measures globally.

Shark Fins Act (2023)

• Bans the import and export of detached shark fins and products containing them, like canned shark fin soup.
• Allows limited exemptions for scientific research and conservation.
• Closed a major loophole that had allowed the UK to remain a player in the fin trade despite the at-sea finning ban.

Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981

• Full protection for basking sharks and angel sharks within 12 nautical miles of English and Welsh coasts.
• Makes it an offence to kill, injure, capture, disturb, or trade these species.
• Scotland and Northern Ireland have equivalent protections under devolved legislation.

Tope (Prohibition of Fishing) Order 2008

• Bans commercial targeting of tope in England and Wales except by rod and line.
• Recreational anglers may keep only one tope per day.
• Fins and heads must remain attached when landed.

CITES Commitments

• The UK follows the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), controlling the trade of listed shark species such as porbeagle, hammerhead, and spiny dogfish.
• Permits are required for import/export of these species.

Total Allowable Catches (TACs) and Quotas

• Annual catch limits set for certain shark species.
• The spiny dogfish fishery, closed for many years, reopened under strict quotas due to signs of recovery.

Fish Labelling Regulations 2013

• Requires market name, production method, and catch area to be displayed.
• Scientific names must be available on request, but not always prominently displayed;  a loophole that allows endangered species to be sold under generic names like “rock salmon.”

Loopholes in UK Shark Laws

Bycatch and Loopholes: Before 2023, spiny dogfish were illegal to catch, but they still appeared in markets due to legal allowances for landing if caught accidentally. Fisheries could profit from bycatch without accountability. After reopening, only spiny dogfish over 100 cm can be retained, even though the species remains critically endangered. Frequent discarding of smaller sharks increases stress and mortality, undermining protection measures, especially with no standardized protocols for assessing survival after release.

Slow Policy Implementation: Although the finning ban was a positive step, it took nearly 20 years to prohibit shark fin imports and exports. During that time, 60 tons of shark fins were imported annually from 2013 to 2017, and 5 tons were exported in 2020. Additionally, the process of listing species under CITES is slow and complicated, delaying conservation efforts.

Domestic Trade Loopholes: The ban does not prevent the removal of fins after sharks are landed whole, allowing domestic trade and potentially creating domestic consumption and increasing shark fisheries.

Regulatory Gaps: Current frameworks fail to address the mislabeling of shark meat, often sold under umbrella terms such as “rock” or “huss.” DEFRA’s Fish Labelling Regulations 2013 do not require scientific names on labels, and no monitoring is in place. Regulatory gaps also allow endangered, non-native species to appear on UK menus, as shark meat can legally enter under vague labels, bypassing CITES protection. Labelling shark meat with vague terms can unintentionally create a new market and boost demand, leading to increased shark fishing. Notably, non-native species such as endangered hammerhead sharks have been identified on UK menus, raising concerns about the potential increased importation of threatened species to satisfy this demand.

More Loopholes:

• Before 2023, the UK could still trade in detached fins despite its at-sea finning ban.
• Bycatch allowances permit the landing of some threatened species.
• Limited full protection: most species are still legally fished under quotas.
• Labelling loopholes allow endangered species to be sold under vague names like “rock salmon.”
• Enforcement challenges in a large EEZ make illegal fishing hard to police.
• Many MPAs have no fishing restrictions, offering little real protection.

Marine Protected Areas in UK Waters – What Do They Mean for Sharks?

The UK has created more than 370 Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), covering about 38% of its waters. On paper, that’s huge. But for sharks, rays, and other marine life, the story isn’t quite that simple.

Sharks Need More Than Lines on a Map

• Spurdogs, basking sharks, and angel sharks all roam UK seas. These species depend on safe spaces to feed, breed, and migrate.
• While MPAs are meant to protect them, most UK MPAs still allow fishing, dredging, and trawling, activities that can harm sharks directly or destroy their habitats.

What’s Working

• Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs): In 2023, the UK created its first three true “no-take” zones. These areas ban all extractive activities, giving sharks and ecosystems a real chance to bounce back.
• Local wins: In Wales, the Cardigan Bay SAC has helped protect habitats for dolphins and sharks. Scotland’s MPAs also safeguard basking shark hotspots.

The Loophole

Most MPAs are “protected in name only.” Bottom trawling – one of the most destructive fishing practices – still happens in many MPAs. That means habitats like seagrass beds and nursery grounds for young sharks remain at risk.

Why It Matters for Sharks

• Sharks are slow to reproduce – some take decades to reach maturity. Without truly safe spaces, populations can’t recover.
• Protecting shark habitats helps entire ecosystems thrive, from plankton up to whales.

Shark Conservation in the UK

There are many local shark + marine conservation organizations in the United Kingdom.

• Shark Trust: Runs citizen science projects like the Great Eggcase Hunt and campaigns for stronger laws.
• Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust: Surveys basking sharks in western Scotland.
• Manx Basking Shark Watch:Tracks sightings around the Isle of Man.
• Sea Deep (Ulster Wildlife) – Tags sharks and rays in the Irish Sea.
• Marine Conservation Society – Advocates for sustainable fisheries and marine protection.

Learn more about our global efforts on the Shark Angels Conservation page.

Diving with Sharks in the UK

• Cornwall: Blue sharks, porbeagles (June – October).
• Hebrides: Basking sharks (July – September).
• Isle of Man: Basking sharks (May – August).
• Devon/Dorset: Smoothhounds, tope (summer).
• Pembrokeshire: Tope, smoothhounds (June – September).

Always choose responsible operators and follow the Shark Angels shark diving codes of conduct.

How to Protect Sharks in the UK

For Lawmakers:

• Enforce seasonal closures and implement MPAs where fishing “hot spots” overlap with elasmobranch habitats.
• Mandate the use of BRDs in fisheries that impact elasmobranchs.
• Expand DNA testing at ports and markets to identify endangered or mislabeled shark meat, with strict enforcement and penalties for violations.
• UK adoption of EU-compliant labelling to mandate scientific names, aligning with global standards.
• Establish a UK Elasmobranch Monitoring initiative to track species-specific data and fill existing knowledge gaps.
• Ban non-selective gear to minimise bycatch.
• Tighten bycatch limits.
• Increase MPA protection levels. Expand Highly Protected Marine Areas across the UK.
• Enforce the rules – no more “paper parks.”
• Protect critical shark hotspots like nurseries, pupping grounds, and feeding zones.

For Residents:

• Get Smart! Avoid shark products. Ask businesses to stop selling them. Tools here!
• Check seafood labels and avoid vague names like “rock salmon.” More on shark products here.
• Support sustainable fishing practices.
• Support legislation protecting sharks + their habitats
• More here

For Tourists:

• Choose ethical shark diving operators.
• Don’t buy shark souvenirs or products.
• When possible, dive in MPAs.
• Sign our global petition to end the sale of shark products.
• More here

References

1. Shark Fins Act 2023 — bans import and export of detached shark fins and related products. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/22/contents Legislation.gov.uk
2. Explanatory Notes on the Shark Fins Act — details on scope and exceptions. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/22/notes/division/3/index.htm Legislation.gov.uk
3. Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, Schedule 5 — protections for basking and angel sharks. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1981/69/schedule/5 Legislation.gov.uk
4. Protected Marine Species (UK GOV guidance) — offences and protections list. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/protected-marine-species/fish-including-seahorses-sharks-and-skatesGOV.UK
5. Tope (Prohibition of Fishing) Order 2008 — limits and gear rules. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2008/691/contents Legislation.gov.uk
6. Fish Labelling Regulations 2013 — market names, information rules. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2013/1768/contents and explanatory memo: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2013/1768/pdfs/uksiem_20131768_en.pdf Legislation.gov.uk+1
7. DNA barcoding study on UK shark products — mislabelling in shops and takeaways. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-018-38270-3 and news coverage: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/jan/31/fish-and-chip-shops-are-selling-endangered-sharks-dna-tests-prove NatureThe Guardian
8. Fins Naturally Attached policy — UK enforcement since 2009. GOV.UK news: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-introduces-law-banning-international-shark-fin-trade and UK report: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a79c453e5274a18ba50eaf8/pb13772-sharkfinning-report2010.pdf GOV.UKGOV.UK Assets
9. Spiny dogfish TAC — fishery reopened with TAC and later updates. https://fishfocus.co.uk/spurdog-fishing-returns-to-uk-waters-after-stock-recovers/ and EU‑UK written record 2025 (spurdog): https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6756f92cf96f5424a4b877b5/eu-uk-written-record-fisheries-consultation-2025.pdf Fish FocusGOV.UK Assets
10. Historic EU personal allowance (20 kg dried fishery products) — background on the loophole used for fins. https://food.ec.europa.eu/animals/animal-products-movements/personal-imports_en and UK Parliament briefing on the issue: https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CBP-9591/CBP-9591.pdf Food SafetyResearch Briefings
11. Shark Trust overview — protections for basking shark under UK laws. https://www.sharktrust.org/basking-shark-conservation