News Digest - January Our selection of top shark stories, highlighting the latest news and discoveries from around the world... Sharks: Volunteers sought to document animals in Wales' seas 2nd January Volunteers are being recruited to identify sharks, skates and rays captured on underwater cameras around the Welsh coast. Data from more than 90 hours of footage needs to be logged to help build a picture of the diversity of species. Scientists Sequence The Genomes Of Endangered Sharks 5th January Dr. Shivji, along with Dr. Michael Stanhope from Cornell University, and numerous other collaborators have been able to peek back in shark-history thanks to genome sequencing, a scientific method that is used to determine the entire genetic makeup of a specific organism or cell type. ‘Extinction crisis’ of sharks and rays to have devastating effect on other species, study finds 17th January Almost two-thirds of sharks and rays that live around the world’s coral reefs are threatened with extinction with potentially dire knock-on effects for ecosystems and coastal communities, according to new research. UK's Shark Fins Bill pass its 3rd reading in the House of Commons January 20th The UK's Shark Fins Bill pass its 3rd reading in the House of Commons! Sponsored by Christina Rees MP, and receiving convincing cross party support, the Bill proposes to commit Fins Naturally Attached (FNA) into UK law Endangered shark sold as flake in South Australia fish and chip shops, study finds 24th January Calls for better food labelling as investigation claims that only around one-third of fish is flake, with served species including rare narrownose smooth-hound World’s biggest ocean stingray tagged in the wild 24th January In a scientific first, researchers have tagged wild smalleye stingrays, the world’s largest and rarest marine stingray, in Mozambique. These Pacific Ocean fish, which can reach up to 10 feet long, are so rarely seen, they’re likely a critically endangered species. Banner image: Ralph Paprzycki Manage Cookie Preferences