<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
<p>The Mediterranean Sea is a hotspot for shark and ray extinctions and is home to the following three angelshark species: sawback angelshark <italic>Squatina aculeata</italic>, smoothback angelshark <italic>Squatina oculata</italic>, and common angelshark <italic>Squatina squatina</italic>. We conducted a questionnaire-based survey in four coastal regions of Albania, Shëngjin (Lezhë), Vlorë, Himarë (Sarandë) and Durrës, with the aim of collecting historical and current data on angelshark catches in the Albanian seas (Adriatic and Ionian Seas). Although the occurrence of common angelshark was reported by Croatian fishermen in the Adriatic Sea, we included the other two species in our study. The number of observations was minimal, although this is the first study of angelshark species sightings in Albania. It will establish a baseline study that will allow further work on the conservation of these regionally extinct and highly endangered species.</p>
</abstract>

The Mediterranean Sea is a hotspot for shark and ray extinctions and is home to the following three angelshark species: sawback angelshark Squatina aculeata, smoothback angelshark Squatina oculata, and common angelshark Squatina squatina. We conducted a questionnaire-based survey in four coastal regions of Albania, Shëngjin (Lezhë), Vlorë, Himarë (Sarandë) and Durrës, with the aim of collecting historical and current data on angelshark catches in the Albanian seas (Adriatic and Ionian Seas). Although the occurrence of common angelshark was reported by Croatian fishermen in the Adriatic Sea, we included the other two species in our study. The number of observations was minimal, although this is the first study of angelshark species sightings in Albania. It will establish a baseline study that will allow further work on the conservation of these regionally extinct and highly endangered species.

Using Local Ecological Knowledge of Fishers to Identify the Presence and Habitats of Angelsharks in Albanian Waters

Faculty of Agriculture and Environment, Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries

Croatian Journal of Fisheries

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

The Mediterranean Sea is a hotspot for shark and ray extinctions and is home to the following three angelshark species: sawback angelshark Squatina aculeata,...

Using Local Ecological Knowledge of Fishers to Identify the Presence and Habitats of Angelsharks in Albanian Waters

Published Online: Sep 06, 2023

Page range: 139 - 146

Received: Apr 25, 2023

Accepted: Jun 12, 2023

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/cjf-2023-0015

Keywords
Albania, Adriatic Sea, Ionian Sea, Mediterranean Sea

© 2023 Rigers Bakiu et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Using Local Ecological Knowledge of Fishers to Identify the Presence and Habitats of Angelsharks in Albanian Waters

Published Online: Sep 06, 2023

Page range: 139 - 146

Received: Apr 25, 2023

Accepted: Jun 12, 2023

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/cjf-2023-0015

KeywordsAlbania, Adriatic Sea, Ionian Sea, Mediterranean Sea

© 2023 Rigers Bakiu et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Keywords
Albania, Adriatic Sea, Ionian Sea, Mediterranean Sea