Fishermen
are to be trained to identify different shark species in a project to help
protect stocks.
Fishing
representatives in Lancashire, the North East, Yorkshire, Cumbria and North
East Lincolnshire are to receive guides to help classify species at sea.
The
scheme, run by the Co-operative, the Shark Trust and commercial fishing
industry, aims to improve the recording of species caught as by-catch.
It
is hoped the data will help stocks be managed more sustainably.
The
project will involve speaking to fishermen about the importance of recording
individual species, rather than just noting them down as sharks or rays.
Those
participating will also be given materials to help identify at-risk species
such as the small-spotted catshark, the starry smoothhound shark and the cuckoo
ray.
Ports
involved include Grimsby, Hull, Bridlington, Scarborough, Whitby, Hartlepool,
Blackpool, Fleetwood, Whitehaven and Maryport.
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