Project Siarc

Small-spotted catshark © Alexander Mustard/2020VISION

Sharks Inspiring Action and Research with Communities

Awarded Wales National Lottery Project of the Year 2023

Check out our Phase 1 Eggcase Hunts Stats!

Run your own Eggcase Hunt

Complete our Eggcase Hunt Questionnaire

What is Project SIARC?

From spreading awareness of our amazing local sharks, to filling the gaps in our understanding of Welsh elasmobranches (or sharks, rays and skates to you and me!), Project SIARC strengthens the links between communities, researchers, fishers and the government.

Six sharks were chosen as the focal species of the project:

1. Angelshark, 2. Common Stingray, 3. Spurdog, 4. Tope,

5. Flapper Skate, 6. Blue Skate.

How are North Wales Wildlife Trust involved?

As partners of Project SIARC, we have led on citizen science activities in North Wales throughout two phases of the project so far...

Phase 1: Public 'Great Eggcase Hunt' events and historic archival research

Phase 2: Training Eggcase Champions to 'adopt' and regularly monitor eggcases along their local beaches

A group of 3 adults and 3 children on a sandy beach. Each is holding up an egg case or mermaids purse, The children also have buckets and ID guides. Behind them is a grassy sand dune and bright blue sky.

Public Eggcase Hunt © NWWT

The Great Eggcase Hunts

Our series of popular shark eggcase hunts offer a unique opportunity to scour the shore in search of these amazing natural treasures!

Also known as mermaid's purses, empty shark eggs get washed up onto our local beaches, offering us an idea of which species of shark we have living and breeding out at sea!

Download your Project SIARC eggcase ID guide

Eggcase Monitoring © NWWT

The Great Shark Eggcase Monitoring

Have you ever wondered why different shark eggs can be found along different beaches, at different times of the year? Help us better understand our Welsh coastline by 'adopting' a local beach and regularly collect, record and monitor shark eggcases.

Get in touch with us directly about choosing your beach. Let's find out which sharks live closest to you!

Download the Shark Trust's Monitoring Methodology Here

Public Eggcase Hunt © NWWT

Get involved with our Citizen Science!

Do you want to join our efforts and become a Project SIARC citizen scientist?

Head to our events page to book onto our upcoming 'Great Eggcase Hunts', or offer your time as a regular Eggcase Champion volunteer by emailing Dawn (our Project Officer) at dawn.thomas@northwaleswildlifetrust.org.uk