Sirt Gulf is an important reproductive area for two shark species.

Among few other areas in the Mediterranean Sea, the coastal waters of Libya, and in particular Sirt Gulf, was recently identified as an important area for angel sharks (Al-Mabruk et al. 2019; Giovos et al. 2019). Between 2020–2021, angel shark individuals were recorded along the Libyan coastline during nearly every landing survey conducted in ports and fish markets of major coastal cities. Most sharks were captured in trammel nets and trawls. Data were also collected based on fisher sightings as part of regular surveys and interview questionnaires conducted by the Angel Shark Project: Libya (S. Al-Mabruk unpubl. data 2023).

In total, 54 Smoothback Angelshark were recorded. Of these, 52% (n = 28) were confirmed within the Sirt Gulf, while the remaining individuals (n = 26) were scattered along the rest of the Libyan coast (i.e., east and west of Sirt Gulf). Most records were from the months of December to February. All life stages were regularly recorded, including five juveniles ranging from 50–60 cm total length (TL) (S. Al Mabruk unpubl. data 2023). Size-at-birth for the species is 23–27 cm TL (Capapé et al. 2002). These records of juvenile sharks suggest that they may be using the area as a nursery area until they reach a larger size. A similar observation has been reported from the Canary Islands, where nursery areas for the Angelshark have been confirmed, based on juveniles using areas for at least a year until they reach a similar size and leave the area (Jimenez-Alvarado et al. 2020; Meyers et al. in prep). Of all recorded and sexed individuals, 46% were females at various life stages. This species is known to undertake inshore-offshore migrations as part of its reproductive cycle. Thus, individuals at different life stages may be using the shallower areas of the Sirt Gulf to reproduce and then move back into the deeper areas. Moreover, one adult pregnant female was recorded aborting pups after capture

and landing in Misrata port. Juvenile sharks were recorded near the coastal waters of Sirt City, indicating that, similar to other parts of the range, these shallow coastal areas are likely used as breeding and as potential nursery areas (Meyers et al. 2017).

Nine individuals of the Angelshark were recorded from surveys, five of which were females. Three sharks were adults and six subadults. In addition to these nine sharks, two pregnant females, one captured near Sirt city, were captured carrying pups which were aborted onboard fishing vessels. Moreover, a young-of-the-year (YOY) was accidentally captured in the shallow coastal area near Sirt. In addition to the information gathered during the landing and market surveys, citizen science data was collected via social media channels and verified by the Angel Shark Project: Libya. A total of 55 records of Angelshark were submitted. All records were either of dead or captured individuals within the Sirt Gulf by trawls, spearfishing, and trammel nets. These records include all size classes, including two dead YOY and one pregnant female with aborted pups (S. Al-Mabruk unpubl. data 2023).