Shark numbers rebound in the Wadden Sea after decades

Researchers have documented a resurgence of sharks in the Wadden Sea (Wattenmeer) after decades of decline. Surveys conducted in 2022 near the Dutch islands of Schiermonnikoog and Ameland recorded hundreds to thousands of juvenile sharks, including white‑spotted smooth‑hound, dogfish—an especially rare and threatened species—and other common north‑sea species.

The findings, based on historic catch data and recent field work, are interpreted as a sign that shark populations are partially recovering. Scientists attribute the improvement to recent policy changes restricting shark and ray catches, as well as possible climate‑change influences. The prevalence of young sharks suggests the area now serves as a seasonal nursery.

Multiple shark species continue to inhabit the Wadden Sea and the adjacent North Sea, posing no danger to humans. The German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation’s Red List still flags several local shark species as threatened, underscoring the need for ongoing monitoring and protection.