Appeal to find data tags from sharks and rays

Researchers said the data gathered would help them understand the movement of sharks and rays

Researchers have urged people to help their project by finding tags which have fallen off marine wildlife.

Jersey Marine Resources (JMR) has attached small tracking devices to sharks and rays to gather data which will help the team to understand their movement patterns.

Over two days JMR attached 20 tags to tope sharks which are designed to detach from the animal after four weeks and float to the surface.

The team has promised £50 to anyone who finds and returns a tag to them.

JMR said the tags were designed to detach after four weeks

The team said the process involved careful capture, tagging and release of the animals in a safe and controlled manner.

JMR is working with local fishers, the Jersey International Centre for Advanced Studies and the University of Exeter on the PhD research project.

They said the data being gathered would be key to supporting sustainable fisheries management and marine conservation.