Endangered shark spotted in shallow waters off British beach

Daily Mirror

19-06-2025

Alex McGlynn, who has been fishing for 20 years, said he had never seen a tope shark off the Welsh coast - with the species listed as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List
An endangered shark has been caught in shallow waters off a British beach by a stunned fisherman. Alex McGlynn, who has been fishing for 20 years, said he had never seen a tope shark in the area.
They can grow up to six feet in length and primarily eat bony fish as well as crustaceans and cephalopods. Thankfully, the species of shark are not deemed aggressive and there are no records of attacks on humans. The species is listed as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List. Alex thinks the catch, which happened off the coast in Swansea, could be a good sign.
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"What a fish, I was absolutely buzzing," he told What's The Jam. It is rare to catch them off shallow beaches or off the shore entirely.
"It shows that numbers are increasing or they are looking for alternative food sources due to a lack of their primary food source, mackerel, likely caused by overfishing.
"Tope are generally a deep water shark, so you usually catch them off boats." Alex released the shark soon after catching it. He said it weighed about 40lbs.
The tope shark can reach lengths of up to 6ft 3in - but despite their size, they are not threatening and have been spotted around the UK in the last few years.
There has never been any record of an unprovoked tope attack on humans. In the past, tope were targeted for their high vitamin A content in their liver.
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They are protected in UK and EU waters and if caught on rod and line must be returned to the sea alive.
It comes after beachgoers basking in the UK's sizzling temperatures in May were left stunned after spotting a shark dangerously close to two different shorelines.
Shocking video footage captured the moment the 12-foot "mini-Jaws" swam just feet away from the shore at Aberystwyth's North Beach in Wales on Friday evening, with crowds gathering to watch as its fin emerged from the water.
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The mammal, thought to be a Porbeagle shark, was reported to wildlife rescue teams and the coastguard over fears it was ill or injured.
As it swam dangerously close to the beach jetty, the animal was also feared to be at risk of beaching itself. As a result, the public were warned to stay away for their own safety and to prevent additional stress for the animal.
Craig Roberts, who was in the area visiting his son at Aberystwyth University, saw the shark and said kids were jumping into the water moments before it emerged.
He said: "We were on the pier and saw a bit of a commotion so went to have a look. Kids were jumping in the water just before it was spotted - they soon got out though."