Every fishing trip creates more than a catch. It also creates observations about the sea: which species are present, when conditions begin to change, and how marine life interacts with fishing activity.

For recreational fishers, this knowledge is built gradually through time on the water. On Saturday, 18 July 2026, Marine & Environmental Research (MER) will bring that practical experience together with marine science at a free workshop in Skarinou, Larnaca. The session will explore sustainable recreational fishing, the sharks and rays found around Cyprus, and the simple actions that can reduce harm when these animals are caught accidentally.

The workshop will take place from 10:00 to 13:00 at Skarinou Community Council. Participation is free, and attendees will receive a certificate of participation. The event is organised within the LIFE PROMETHEUS project.

Bringing experience and science into the same conversation

Sustainable fisheries are stronger when scientific evidence is considered alongside the knowledge of people who spend time at sea. Recreational fishers observe seasonal changes, unfamiliar species, shifting fishing conditions and the practical effects of management measures. These observations can help researchers understand what is happening between formal surveys and can highlight questions that deserve closer attention.

The workshop is therefore designed as a practical exchange rather than a one-way presentation. It will create space to discuss what fishers encounter, which approaches are realistic in everyday fishing conditions, and how communication between fishing communities, researchers and responsible authorities can become more useful. The aim is to connect different forms of knowledge and support decisions that are scientifically informed, practical and more widely understood.

A wider look at responsible recreational fishing

The discussion will extend beyond sharks and rays to the wider principles of responsible and sustainable recreational fishing. Small decisions made before, during and after a fishing trip can influence the condition of released animals, the amount of unwanted catch and the overall pressure placed on the marine environment.

Participants will consider how accurate species identification supports better decisions; how appropriate gear, careful handling and shorter release times can reduce avoidable stress; why applicable rules and protected species need to be understood; and how catches and unusual observations can be documented responsibly. The session will also encourage a broader culture of care at sea, including respect for habitats, responsible use of fishing grounds and the removal of fishing-related waste.

These are not abstract ideas. They are everyday practices that can help preserve the quality of fishing experiences while supporting healthier marine ecosystems for the future.

When an unexpected shark or ray appears

Sharks, skates and rays, collectively known as elasmobranchs, are a natural and important part of Mediterranean marine biodiversity. Yet they remain among the most misunderstood groups of marine animals. Many species are vulnerable to fishing pressure, and an accidental capture can have serious consequences when an animal is not recognised or is handled for longer than necessary.

An unexpected encounter can require quick decisions. A fisher may need to identify the animal, protect both the animal and the people nearby, remove or cut fishing gear where appropriate, and return it to the water as safely and rapidly as possible. The workshop will introduce the shark and ray species encountered in Cyprus, address common myths, and explain practical handling and release approaches that can reduce injury and improve the likelihood of survival.

The emphasis will be on clear, usable information. Knowing where it is safest to hold an animal, when handling should be avoided, how to limit time out of the water, and how to respond when hooks or lines cannot be removed easily can make a meaningful difference during a real fishing interaction.

From one observation to a clearer picture of the sea

Monitoring sharks and rays is challenging because encounters are often scattered across different places, seasons and fishing activities. Scientific surveys provide essential information, but they cannot be present everywhere at all times. Records shared by recreational fishers can complement formal monitoring and help build a broader picture of where species occur and how they interact with fisheries.

A useful record may include a clear photograph taken without delaying release or compromising safety, together with the date, general location, fishing method, approximate size, condition of the animal and outcome of the release. A single observation cannot explain a population trend, but many well-documented observations, examined alongside other scientific data, can reveal patterns and identify areas where more focused research may be needed.

This is where collaboration becomes especially important. Fishers can contribute information that would otherwise remain unrecorded, while researchers can help turn individual observations into evidence that supports monitoring, conservation and better-informed fisheries management.

A local workshop within a Mediterranean effort

LIFE PROMETHEUS works across the Mediterranean to improve the conservation of sharks and rays through bycatch reduction, research and monitoring, sustainable fisheries approaches, habitat-focused action, public awareness and cooperation with fishing communities.

MER contributes to this wider effort through fisher engagement and training, elasmobranch monitoring, the identification of important habitats, and the development and communication of practical approaches that can reduce the impact of incidental capture. The Skarinou workshop brings these aims into a local setting, where questions can be discussed openly and practical knowledge can be shared directly.

At its heart, the event is about a shared interest in a healthy sea. Conservation cannot be separated from the people who use, observe and care about marine environments, just as sustainable fishing cannot be strengthened without evidence, dialogue and trust. Bringing these perspectives together is an important step towards solutions that can work both for marine life and for fishing communities.

Workshop information and registration

Date: Saturday, 18 July 2026
Time: 10:00–13:00
Venue: Skarinou Community Council, Larnaca
Participation: Free, with a certificate of participation

To reserve a place, complete the online registration form.

For further information, contact Christina at +357 99 264335, Periklis at +357 96 598310, or email info@merresearch.com.

Explore related MER work

• LIFE PROMETHEUS at MER
• Fisheries, bycatch reduction and elasmobranch conservation
• MER marine research and elasmobranch citizen science at Thalassa Conference 2026

Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or CINEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.