The North Sea is home to many endangered species, but a recent study is now focusing on one in particular – the tope shark. For the first time, international researchers have confirmed that the southern North Sea is vital for these fish. It serves as a breeding ground in the Wadden Sea, a migration corridor stretching from Heligoland to the Celtic Sea, and a network of refuges around the high-seas island.
North Sea: How Important it is for the Endangered Tope Shark
The Wadden Sea, located in the North Sea off the northern coast of Germany and the Netherlands, plays a crucial role for these animals. “For instance, experts identified a nursery area for spiny dogfish in this region, specifically near the Borkum Reef,” explained WWF shark expert Heike Zidowitz, who is part of the project, in a statement.
The tope shark is the largest shark species that resides year-round in the North Sea. Measuring nearly two meters in length, it may look impressive but poses no threat to humans. However, due to its extremely low reproduction rate, its population has been steadily declining for years. As a result, the tope shark’s status was elevated from “endangered” to “critically endangered” in June.
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WWF Calls for Better protection measures
Despite these warning signs, there are hardly any protective measures for the species in the North Sea so far. “The tope shark is a critically endangered species living right in [European] waters, yet it currently receives no protection whatsoever,” warned Zidowitz. Fishing poses a significant threat to tope sharks. While they are not specifically targeted, they frequently become bycatch in fishing nets. According to the WWF, these unintentional catches exceed scientific recommendations by as much as 70 percent.
Researchers therefore see the North Sea as an important place of influence for the conservation of the animals. The WWF is calling for better monitoring, binding quotas, and the inclusion of the tope shark in the European marine strategy. This is the only way to prevent populations from shrinking further.
The Netherlands has initiated an action plan under the Bonn Convention, which aims to improve the protection of highly migratory species like the tope shark in the North Sea. “We expect Germany, together with other countries, to participate in the Dutch plans for cross-border protection measures,” said Zidowitz.
Source: WWF
This article was translated with the help of AI and carefully reviewed by our editorial team.