Marine Life: Critically endangered shark and rare eel found on UK coastline

Scientists also found a cat shark, as well as black seabream and Atlantic mackerel.

Scientists have discovered a critically endangered shark and a rare European eel in a study of UK waters.

The eel and shark - called a tope shark - were amongst 81 creatures that scientist identified living under water on the Sussex coast.

Researchers from the University of Sussex used underwater cameras and collected DNA samples to record what sea-life was across 28 sites between Shoreham-by-Sea and Selsey on the South coast.

The researchers said that although the species they saw aren't only found in UK waters, some of them "are quite rare and of high conservation concern".

It is important that we look after these areas of water to protect the marine life living there.

As well as the European eel and tope shark, the researchers also found a cat shark, black seabream and Atlantic mackerel.

Alice Clark, a PHD student from the university, said: "I think people will be surprised to learn just how diverse this area of the UK coastline is".

The research started because of a ban on a certain type of fishing called nearshore trawling, in this area of water.

Nearshore trawling, pollution and climate change are just some of the problems that experts say lead to population decline of species.

The ban was put in place to protect the marine life in this area of coastline and make sure that a diverse range of species was able to continue to live there.