Abstract1Despite the ease with which shark stocks can be quickly overfished, illustrated by the collapse of similar fisheries in the past, few regulations currently exist for the effective management of present day fisheries.2Large numbers of sharks are taken by both commercial and recreational fisheries around the British Isles; current landings are reviewed.3These data are used to support the contention that immediate research is undertaken to collect essential life‐history information so that (i) accurate assessments of current stock levels can be made and (ii) a long‐term fishery management plan can be develo