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Angel Sharks in Gran Canaria
We often get asked by visitors if there are any sharks in Gran Canaria. This is a question that everybody wants a positive reply to … although some visitors are looking for a reassurance of safety while others are looking for the chance to swim or dive with these oft feared predators.
As you have probably already guessed from the pictures, yes we do have sharks in Gran Canaria. However the good news for the 'JAWS' generation is that the sharks you are most likely to encounter in Gran Canaria are among the most placid, docile and non-aggressive sharks anywhere in the world. Their name gives it away .. Angel Sharks ..mainly named because of the shape of the body when seen from above.
So just how 'shark infested' is the water around Gran Canaria? Is it safe to paddle in the sea? Is it safe to swim? Is it safe to go in the water with a cut or open wound on your leg?
Unfortunately, over the years, films and documentaries have built up a black reputation for sharks in general, which in no way matches the profile of Angel Sharks, for the following reasons:
- Angel Sharks are bottom dwellers, who therefore rarely swim near to the surface, and so are rarely seen or encountered by swimmers or snorklers.
- Angel Sharks are bottom feeders and they only have a small mouth which is designed to scoop small fish or crustaceans up from on or close to the sea bed.
- Angel Sharks are ambush predators and their strategy is to wait for meals to come to them rather than to actively seek out smells in the way that open ocean pelagic sharks hunt.
- Angel Sharks are small and scared of us. The average size is about 1.2 meters long (which looks quite big underwater), but when compared to divers or swimmers, we pose more of a threat to them and so they adopt one of two strategies - hide or flee.
- Angel Sharks are critically endangered and listed on the IUCN 'Red List' of endangered species. They can be found if you know where to look, and probably number only 3-4 per square kilometer.
Our diving centre in Arinaga has been diving with Angel Sharks for ten years now, and for the last couple of years we have been pooling our observations with the University of Las Palmas. During that time we have had hundreds, if not thousands, of sightings of Angel Sharks. We dive with them when they are swimming; we find them stationary; and we dive with them at night! In all these years we have never had a contact where anyone has been bitten by an angel shark. On a couple of occasions they have been annoyed by our presence, and made themselves look aggressive, but apart from a few warning 'feints', not one single diver has had a problem with these beautiful creatures.
There are also rare contacts with two other sharks, hammerheads and blue sharks. These are however deep water species and rarely stray into shallow water. If you go deep sea fishing, or boating several miles off shore you may if you are lucky encounter these over the deep water trenches that surround this volcanic island.
So yes, it is safe to bathe on the beautiful Canarian beaches without any fears of being dragged under by any ferocious carnivore. And you can jump into the sea from your pirate cruise of snorkeling trip safe in the knowledge that any Angel sharks in the area are probably moving away from you, or lying absolutely still ten or more meters underneath the boat, waiting for you to leave.
Angel Sharks and Diving in Gran Canaria
Being a critically endangered species on the 'Red List' means that any encounter with an angel shark is a privilege. We don't know how long they live but estimates of 20-30 years will give them a similar lifeline to other sharks. This means that adults will have almost certainly encountered humans before .. and are wary of us.
Despite their size, Angel sharks are experts at concealment - they come to a stop and then wriggle themselves down into the sand, and with a final flap of their fins, cover themselves in sand. They are now very difficult to spot, and may remain in this one place resting, and waiting for food to come to them, for many hours. We have had several examples where we see an angel shark one day, and if it is not disturbed, find it in the same place the next day. The next group of photos show how they disguise themselves in the sand.
 Ed points out an angel shark next to the rock! |
 Andy exposes part of the tail |
 A Photographer gets a close-up on the sand |
 This one is lying with its head towards us |
We tend to see more individuals either above the sand, or on rocks, or actually swimming, in the winter months when the water is colder. They will sometimes approach divers, but when they get to within about 5 meters they invariably change course and swim away from us. They have a 'normal speed' which divers can just about keep up with, but if they feel threatened they will move up a gear and with a few flicks of their tail accelerate away from you.
At rest on the sand after a short swim before burying itself |
Angel Sharks always swim close to the sand |
Swimming slowly using the powerful tail |
Resting on rocks, the camouflage pattern is clearly visible |
Just above the sand, you can see how the colouring aids camouflage |
This baby was spotted at night and is only just longer than the torch |
Face to face, can you see both the eyes and the breathing holes above the head? |
In low light their camouflage helps them diffuse into the sand bottom |
So please respect our angel sharks! If you find one covered in the sand - please leave it there as it may be digesting a meal or waiting for the next meal to come along. Every dive with an angel shark is a privilege granted by them, so respect their privacy, don't chase them excessively, and always give them an exit or plenty of space.
Brian Goldthorpe - July 2008
