Scientists are collaborating with local anglers to study shark populations in English waters, aiming to improve their conservation. In July, ecologist Lucy Hawkes and a colleague joined two experienced anglers on a small fishing boat in the English Channel for six days in an effort to catch a thresher shark. After 14 trips and many hours at sea, they successfully caught one of these elusive creatures, which was then fitted with an electronic tag. This marked the first time a thresher shark had been tagged in England and the northeast Atlantic. Thresher sharks can grow up to 5.8 meters in length and use their long, whip-like tails to herd schools of fish while hunting. The anglers were thrilled with the success, as they have spent years fishing for these animals and possess valuable knowledge about their behavior. Scientists are increasingly recognizing the importance of this hands-on experience, which includes understanding when and where sharks appear, their sizes, and their feeding habits. This partnership is supported by a £1.2 million grant from Natural England as part of its efforts to recover vulnerable shark species. The project focuses on blue sharks, porbeagles, and tope sharks, using satellite tracking and other tools to better understand how these species use English waters. While scientists and anglers both study sharks, they do so using different methods. Satellite tracking and models provide important data but may not fully capture the environmental context that individual sharks experience. Anglers, who spend extensive time on the water, often notice gradual changes in marine ecosystems that traditional surveys might miss. Their observations, though sometimes seen as anecdotal, can provide valuable long-term insights into how marine environments are evolving. Combining the knowledge of anglers and scientists can lead to more effective strategies for managing marine ecosystems sustainably. Both groups share the goal of maintaining healthy shark populations, though they may differ in their approaches. Some anglers prioritize catching fish, while others focus on minimizing harm. Successful conservation requires mutual respect and learning between the two communities, leading to better outcomes for sharks, their habitats, and the people who rely on them. Over the next three years, scientists will continue working with anglers across England to study sharks they are both passionate about. This collaboration has already provided new insights into shark behavior after being released from fishing lines, which would have been difficult to gather through scientific research alone. The future of shark conservation, therefore, is not limited to laboratories but is also taking place in harbors and along coastlines, where anglers and scientists are working hand in hand.