AN IMPORTANT satellite tag has gone missing from a shark — and Islanders are being asked to help find it..

A new satellite tag was deployed by Associations Apecs on a porbeagle shark on the north coast of Brittany in France, but it has since detached.

The tag is stranded on the Isle of Wight since yesterday (Tuesday).

Although it might not be an accurate location, it is thought to be on Compton Beach near Freshwater (around 50°39.889N / 001°28.840W).

A spokesperson said: "We need your help to recover this tag to give us the opportunity to get all the stored data.

"For people like radio-amateurs who have a receiver, the tag pings every second at the frequency 401.678Mhz. Please relay this call !

"Unfortunately, our other tag detached at the beginning of October is still at sea near Folkestone.

"There is a last chance it lands on a beach before going through the Dover Strait. We continue to closely monitor his drift."

If you find it, contact Association Apecs on Facebook, and don't forget to let us know too, on editor@iwcp.co.uk