IMIS

Angel sharks (*Squatina squatina*) are one of the most endangered fish in European waters and are currently listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. The Canary Islands have been identified as a unique stronghold for *S. squatina*, where they are regularly sighted by divers and fishers. However, here too they are under significant threat from incidental catch in poorly-managed commercial and recreational fisheries, habitat degradation from pollution, coastal development and marine infrastructure and disturbance by divers and beach users. Over the last three years, the Angel Shark Project has become the established authority for angel shark conservation and research in Europe. This has been established through gathering critical information on angel shark distribution via our network of partners including sport fishers, dive operators and local NGOs. The proposed project therefore builds on this distribution data to address key questions about residency and space use of *S. squatina*. The lack of knowledge around the timing and distances of movements in this species is hampering current efforts to establish and implement protection throughout the area. As such, the data from a deployment of year-round acoustic receivers will directly inform the Spanish Government's proposed management strategies for The Canaries. In addition to movement data, this collaborative project funded by the National Geographic and Lisbon aquarium, is developing a bespoke tagging and attachment methodology to enable the external tagging of angel sharks in situ as they rest on the substrate, avoiding capture and stress of individuals. This open source methodology will likely facilitate the attachment of tags to other benthic species where capture of individuals is problematic or politically sensitive. To our knowledge, this will be the first deployment of long-term tracking equipment for *S. squatina* providing essential data that will act as a baseline for future actions attempting to conserve this species.