British scientists have secured nearly 1 million pounds to protect sharks and rays

Shark conservation is taking another step forward. Researchers from the University of Exeter have received a grant of 939,434 pounds (approximately 27 million crowns) for a large-scale research project aimed at better protecting sharks and rays in English coastal waters. The funding was provided by Natural England, and the project will last several years.

The goal of the research is to determine how individual species use marine protected areas. Although a number of marine reserves have been established in recent years, scientists still do not know exactly whether they actually protect the areas that sharks need most—such as areas where they breed, hunt, or raise their young. The new project is expected to provide an answer to this very question.

Researchers will track the movements of sharks using acoustic transmitters attached to selected individuals. A network of underwater receivers will be deployed in the water to record their movements. Thanks to this technology, scientists will be able to map migration routes, determine how long sharks remain in specific locations, and identify which areas are most important to their survival.

The project will focus primarily on lesser-known species, such as the spiny dogfish (Scyliorhinus canicula), which is one of the most common sharks in European waters, and several species of rays living around England. Although these animals are not discussed as often as the great white or tiger shark, they, too, play an important role in maintaining healthy marine ecosystems.

Another major advantage of the project is its collaboration with fishermen, conservation organizations, and local communities. The researchers hope that the results of their research will benefit not only nature but also the people who depend on the sea. Thanks to more accurate data, it will be possible to design protected areas that are effective while minimizing restrictions on sustainable fishing.

According to experts, the results of this project may also be important for other countries. Many marine protected areas around the world were established at a time when there was insufficient information available about shark movements. Today, modern tracking technologies make it possible to obtain much more accurate data and design conservation measures based on the actual behavior of these animals, rather than on mere estimates.

This project is further proof that shark conservation is not just about banning fishing. It is equally important to understand where sharks live, how they move, and which areas are critical to their survival. Only through high-quality scientific knowledge can we develop measures that will work in the long term and help preserve healthy oceans for future generations.