Eastern Angelshark: Squatina albipunctata

Family: Squatinidae
Common name(s)

Eastern Angelshark, Eastern Australian Angel Shark.

Identification

A small angelshark species with a relatively small head and heavily fringed nasal barbells. Head margin is inline with pectoral fin margins. Elongated spiracles wider than eye width. Concave forehead between eyes. Strong orbital thorns (enlarged denticles behind eyes) but no pre-dorsal rows of thorns present on back.
Dorsal coloration tan or brown with numerous scattered, dark edged, small white spots and small dark spots. Two larger brown spots (ocelli) on each pectoral fin. Ventrum pale.

Size

Maximum size 130cm. Size at birth 27-30cm.

Habitat

Tropical and temperate sandy substrate often close to monumentation such as rocky reefs. Continental shelf and upper continental slope. From 35-415m.

Distribution

An eastern Australian endemic. Found from Cairns in northern Queensland southward to Lakes Entrance, Victoria.

Conservation Status

VULNERABLE

Eastern angel sharks are not very susceptible to line or mesh netting techniques, but are susceptible to trawling as they lay on the bottom (T.I. Walker, Department of Primary Industries Victoria, pers. comm. March 2003).
Demersal trawling within the New South Wales Prawn Trawl Fishery and the Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery (SESSF) in southeastern Australia between northern Victoria and central New South Wales continues to threaten its populations in the southern part of its range where it is thought to be more abundant than the northern part of its range.
Graham et al. (2001) documented a 96% decline (32.6 kg/h in 1976–77 to 1.3 kg/h in 1996–97) in catches of this species across all surveyed areas in fishery-independent trawl surveys from the Sydney area (central New South Wales) to the Eden/Gabo Island Area (southern New South Wales/Victoria border). Calculated over three generation lengths, this decline could range from 98–100% over three generations (69 years; from 1976–2045). In addition, significant reductions in the mean sizes of large Eastern Angel Sharks (referred to as Squatina sp. nov. A) were observed (Graham et al. 2001).
The area of these declines represents about a quarter of the total range of this species. It is rarely captured in the northern half of its range; it was taken as bycatch (and discarded) in low numbers in the Queensland East Coast Otter Trawl Fishery (ECOTF; deepwater component of the eastern king prawn sector; C. Rigby, unpubl. data) and has not been reported as a bycatch of any other sectors of the ECOTF (Kyne 2010).

Citation
Pogonoski, J., Pollard, D.A. & Rigby, C.L. 2016. Squatina albipunctataThe IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T42729A68645549. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T42729A68645549.en. Downloaded on 20 January 2021.

Reproduction

Like other squatinids, the eastern angelshark is an aplacental viviparous species. Up to 20 pups per litter (Michael 2001).

Diet

Feeds on small fishes. The eastern angelshark is an ambush predator that lays on the substrate partially covered by sand. When a fish swims within range, the angelshark explodes upwards from its concealment, mouth agape and clamps down on its prey.

Behavior

The eastern angelshark remains motionless (waiting for prey to swim near its mouth) for long periods each day.

Reaction to divers

Easy to approach. Remains motionless, relying on camouflage. Will bolt if molested.

Diving logistics

The eastern angelshark generally inhabits depths beyond recreational scuba limits so it is rarely encountered by divers, but it does occasionally enter shallow water. Confirmed sightings have occurred at Cabbage Tree Bay (Manly), and at a few other sites in NSW.

The best way to search for angel sharks is to swim along the edge of the reef, about 2m above the sand, in rocky or kelpy areas where the sharks have sand they can hide under and access to a good supply of fishes.
Although the shark will likely be buried under a fine covering of sand, their outline is often somewhat visible. Even if the outline of the angelshark is obscured, they always keep their eyes and spiracles exposed. After a few encounters, you should be able to pick out the signs of a shark’s presence more easily.
Once you have located a shark, with slow, non-aggressive movements, it is usually possible to settle down next to it and gently fan away most of the sand to get a better look. This does not distress the animal or significantly waste its energy because one or two pectoral fin flaps will completely cover it again. Be careful not to wave your hand too close to its mouth to avoid a demonstration of its incredibly fast bite reflex!

Similar species

Australian Angelshark Distinguished by white margins on all fins, and larger white spots on dorsum.