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Review of 2024

Just watching Storm Bert do his worst so it seemed like a good time to have a quick review of the Pat Smith Database 2024 activities.


The core of our work remains the timeline database of recreationally caught sharks in the UK since 1953. We believe this database is not just unique in terms of its scale but also in how data contributors ownership rights are respected, which enables them to remain in full control of the data and its use. We have not yet received all our contributors shark catch & release records for this year but the dataset has grown to 117,256 records.


This year saw the launch of our shark mucous swabbing project, which is a non invasive technique enabling DNA, stable isotope and fatty acid analysis to be extracted to assist with population, kinship and other areas of study.  Sharks are classed as a data poor species so any information obtained will help underpin successful national and international shark fisheries management. We are also open to discussing sharing these samples with scientific organisations pursuing relevant areas of study. For various reasons the project start date was delayed but our skipper contributors still managed to collect over 200 swab samples which was a tremendous result. Our sponsor has agreed to extend this project into next year when we plan to focus on Thresher and Porbeagles.


Shark tagging programmes provided the first evidence of Trans-Atlantic migrations in species like Blue, Mako and White Sharks, where previously we had no idea of their range. Tagging programmes are therefore an important component of shark research so we were very pleased to be asked by NOAAs (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) Fisheries Apex Predators Programme to help with their objective of tagging 2000 Blue Sharks in the UK.

ICCAT supported this project by providing five pop-up satellite tags (PSAT’s) which were deployed on mature female Blue Sharks. The project objective is to identify changes in timing and location of migratory corridors related to mating and pupping and answer questions regarding the existence of a potential third Atlantic stock of Blue Sharks in the Mediterranean.


Of course none of this work is possible without the support and cooperation of recreational sea angling charter skippers and anglers who have once again been very generous with their support for our work for which we are very grateful. You truly are Experts by Experience.


If you have any shark catch & release data you would like to share with us, or support any of our projects please contact either Simon Thomas or myself, or alternatively make contact through our website (https://www.patsmithdatabase.com/ )


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