In May earlier this year (2025), the Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRA) team conducted a five-day workshop with the aim of identifying key areas for sharks and rays in the European Atlantic. Thanks to the hard work of all our dedicated citizen scientists, the Shark Trust was able to contribute data from around the UK and Ireland to this process; largely featuring areas used by Basking Sharks, and areas of reproductive importance for various oviparous (egglaying) shark and skate species!

Based on contemporary data over the past 15 years (2010-present), candidate Important Shark and Ray Areas were designated according to specific categories such as the vulnerability of that species and the life history functions in that area – e.g. are they feeding, resting or (crucially for our eggcase data!) reproductive areas (e.g. breeding, pupping or nursery grounds). Each of these proposed areas then went through a review process by an independent panel, before either being confirmed as an ISRA, or deciding that there was not enough information available at this time.

While empty eggcases from the beach couldn’t be used in this process (given they can wash ashore from different areas), in-situ eggcases with embryos still developing were ideal for providing evidence of egglaying grounds. As such, records of in-situ Flapper Skate, Nursehound, Thornback Ray and Blonde Ray eggcases were submitted.

After several months of work, the ISRA team designated over 120 ISRAs across the European Atlantic. Of these, the Shark Trust contributed qualifying evidence for 11 ISRAs, and supporting evidence to a further three. If you have contributed a Basking Shark sighting to the Basking Shark Project, or if you have reported any underwater eggcases to the Great Eggcase Hunt, a massive thank you from all of us at the Trust as these will have been part of the process. Underwater eggcases make up less than 1% of our eggcase submissions, and it’s these records that truly reveal which habitats are vitally important for egglaying sharks and skates. An area close to the Shark Trust’s heart, is Wembury Point in Devon, where a dedicated citizen scientist has spent a decade snorkelling at a Nursehound egglaying site to monitor development and hatching success – this information was vital in securing that designated area! If you are a diver, snorkeller or water user, please keep an eye out for any eggcases and keep those records coming so we can build on our knowledge!

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