Scientists have received nearly £1 million to study the movement and breeding grounds of three endangered shark species found in English waters, as part of Natural England's Species Recovery Programme. The funding will support research into the blue shark, porbeagle and tope, helping to fill significant gaps in knowledge about their distribution and abundance and informing conservation measures to protect these ecologically and economically important animals.

The project will use electronic tags to track migration routes and habitats, alongside ultrasound scanning to identify pregnant sharks and locate potential pupping and nursery grounds. Researchers, including teams from the University of Exeter and the Marine Biological Association, will also work with anglers in hubs such as Looe, Falmouth and Brightlingsea, running workshops and interviews with at least 45 anglers to gather catch records and local ecological knowledge. The findings will be used to update England's Red List assessments and improve guidance for anglers to boost the survival rates of released sharks.