'Quite a surprise' to spot 4ft shark swimming in river
On Tuesday evening, Thomas Davidson spotted a 4ft-long starry smooth-hound shark swimming in the Connswater River where the waterway meets Belfast Lough.
The species of shark has been seen in other urban areas such as the River Thames and the River Mersey estuary.
Dr Patrick Collins, a marine biologist at Queen's University, said while "it's not something you see everyday, it's not something super unusual either".
"In the past I would occasionally have seen several 2-3lb mullet follow the tide in, but on this occasion I saw a much larger shape in the water adjacent to Airport Road," Mr Davidson told BBC News NI.
He said this shape was "too big to be a mullet", so he stopped to take a closer look.
"A dorsal fin slowly broke the surface revealing that familiar profile that looked like a shark," he said.
"I quickly took out my phone and started to video this slow-moving fish as it meandered left and right up and downstream, getting mobbed by a few gulls.
"I couldn't believe what I was watching."
The shark continued swimming in this section of river for about 30 minutes before moving upstream into a shadow area and Mr Davidson lost sight of it.
"I felt very lucky to witness such a lengthy sighting and was left curious as to how far upstream it might go," he said.
The Connswater River rises in the Castlereagh hills and runs northwards through east Belfast, getting wider until it reaches the sea at Belfast Lough.
The river route includes the Connswater Greenway walking route and flows past CS Lewis Square and Connswater Shopping Centre.
Mr Davidson said he will "continue to look out for it and others in the future".
This type of shark mainly eat crabs and small crustaceans, marine biologist Dr Patrick Collins said.
The section of the river in Victoria Park probably contained crabs, and so this shark spotted by Mr Davidson was "probably just having its lunch", he explained.
He said it is "not very common to find smooth-hounds in cities, but they have been recorded in the last few years".
"It's a little bit unusual if you're walking your dog to find one that close to the city, and that easy to see, but they're not a rare animal," Dr Collins continued.
"They're found fairly commonly across the UK and Ireland. It's not an unusual occurrence to have them close to an urban centre because there's sea water there.
"It's a bit like seeing a deer in farmland."
He added that this type of shark poses no risk to the public.
"Because of movies like Jaws and some other strange public perceptions coming from that, there's this idea that all sharks are dangerous animals - they're a type of fish.
"These animals pose absolutely no threat to us whatsoever."
Woman films 'amazing' shark in river estuary
Blue lobster is catch of a lifetime for fisherman
Threatened shark served to UK diners
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Boston Globe
3 days ago
- Boston Globe
More hammerhead shark sightings off Cape Cod are a symptom of warming temperatures
Smooth hammerhead sharks are one of the largest hammerhead shark species, and they typically reside in temperate waters in coastal or tropical areas, according to ocean conservation nonprofit Reports of a smooth hammerhead shark spotted off Chatham was reported last summer, the Globe Advertisement According to Chisholm, Massachusetts beachgoers should exercise the normal amount of caution when entering the water, but there's no need for increased concern. Shark attacks are extremely rare, but Advertisement 'These sharks are fish eaters, they're not interested in humans,' he said. 'That said, they need to be treated with respect, because they are predators and they have the potential to bite. They're not pets.' White sharks, a cold-water species which has always been a staple in New England waters, are also Unlike smooth hammerheads, the increase in white shark sightings is more likely owed to population growth following stricter laws surrounding shark fin removal and harvesting. This increase has also coincided with shifting attitudes towards sharks as the widespread fear of great whites precipitated by 'Jaws' has died down. Biologists don't yet know what impact the evolving makeup of the regional marine ecosystem will have on local fish populations. However, Chisholm emphasized the importance of reporting shark sightings to scientists like him so that they can continue to gather data on how the changing climate is affecting marine wildlife.
Washington Post
4 days ago
- Washington Post
Here's what shark experts do to stay safe in the ocean
Discovery Channel's 'Shark Week' begins Sunday for the 37th year. And Steven Spielberg's movie 'Jaws' celebrated its 50th anniversary in June. Despite the fanfare and some highly publicized reports of shark bites, researchers are quick to point out the apex fish are not the bloodthirsty predators they're made out to be. Instances of sharks biting humans are extremely rare. You're more likely to die falling into a hole at the beach, in a riptide or in an alligator attack than from a shark bite, according to data from the Florida Museum of Natural History's International Shark Attack File. Last year, the museum recorded 47 unprovoked bites worldwide. 'They're not these monster killers that just come flying in whenever there's bait,' said Neil Hammerschlag, a shark researcher based in Nova Scotia, Canada, who charters cage-diving expeditions to bring tourists up close to blue, mako and great white sharks. 'They're very cautious.' Hammerschlag, who's been studying sharks for 24 years, said some are more curious about the color of the boat or the sound of the engine than the 20 pounds of sushi-grade tuna he brings on each trip as bait. Chris Lowe, the director of the Shark Lab at California State University in Long Beach, said he has 'hundreds, if not thousands of hours footage' of sharks near the shore in California. And, most of the time, they're there to relax, he said. For three years, researchers in Lowe's lab surveyed 26 beaches from Santa Barbara to San Diego with drones and saw sharks swim right under surfers without changing course. 'It's like they are ignoring us,' he said. 'We're just flotsam, not food or foe.' The Washington Post asked Hammerschlag and Lowe what they do and the advice they give beachgoers who want to avoid a shark encounter. Lowe said when he's out in the water he spends some time looking behind himself and others, 'like checking my mirrors when I'm driving.' Sharks are stealthy and try to approach other animals from behind. Don't treat the ocean like Disneyland, Lowe said. You're in a wild place where you can't eliminate all risks. His advice: Be vigilant. It will reduce your likelihood of a shark swimming up too closely to investigate you. And, do your homework about the body of water you're swimming in. 'Who are you going to be sharing the ocean with? Is it sharks? Is it stingrays?' Lowe said. 'When we go in the ocean, we are entering someone else's home.' Sharks may confuse a human foot for a fish, or a surfboard for a seal, when visibility is poor, such as in lowlight conditions. Sharks use their mouth and teeth to inspect what's in front of them like we use our hands, Hammerschlag said. 'Most shark bites of people are not predatory,' he said. 'When sharks have bitten people, it seems that they're investigatory or mistaken identity.' The light glimmering off jewelry can look like a fish scale to a shark, Hammerschlag said. He adds reflective stickers to the cage he uses on diving expeditions to try to catch a shark's attention. A fish caught on a line could get the attention of a shark. 'Those vibrations are like ringing the dinner bell for a shark,' Hammerschlag said. However, it can help to swim near other people, Lowe said, since groups of people might be more intimidating than solo swimmers. If you see fish jumping out of water or birds diving for a meal, there could be a 'bait ball' of fish nearby, and that's a feeding opportunity for sharks, Hammerschlag said. There's a myth that a pod of dolphins can ward off sharks. But, he said, the opposite may be the case. 'If there's a big bait ball of fish that dolphins are feeding on, the sharks could be feeing on that, as well,' Hammerschlag said. If you see a shark in the water, don't panic and swim away, Hammerschlag said. If you do, the shark might see you as prey. And, 'you're not going to outswim a shark,' he said. Instead, orient your body so you're always facing the shark and maintain eye contact, Hammerschlag said. Sharks can't sneak up on you if there's no element of surprise. 'You're showing the shark that you see it, and you're responding to it,' he said. 'And that is not a situation that a hunting shark wants to be in.' If you're scuba diving, you can also sit on the ocean floor; sharks tend to approach potential prey from below, Hammerschlag said.
Forbes
11-07-2025
- Forbes
How 'Jaws' Redefined Movie Tech And Ocean Awareness
Director Steven Spielberg on the set of Jaws with the mechanical shark in the background. 'Jaws' is one of the most iconic and instantly recognizable movies ever made. When it premiered in 1975, it didn't just terrify audiences—it reshaped filmmaking technology and introduced groundbreaking techniques that changed cinema forever. National Geographic's new documentary, Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story, provides a fascinating look into the tools, tech, and improvisation that helped a young Steven Spielberg turn catastrophe into cinematic innovation. Directed by Laurent Bouzereau and produced by Amblin Documentaries in partnership with Wendy Benchley, the documentary offers an unfiltered view into how Spielberg navigated major technical hurdles. I spoke with Benchley about the documentary and the legacy of the movie. Most famously, the mechanical shark—nicknamed "Bruce"—failed so often it became a liability. Spielberg adapted by filming from the shark's point of view, a now-iconic approach that turned absence into tension. 'The genius of Steven,' Benchley notes, 'was knowing when to show less and let the audience imagine more.' Tech Trouble at Sea The film also revisits lesser-known tech struggles, like camera malfunctions from saltwater exposure and the logistical nightmare of ocean shooting. These details underscore a core point: innovation doesn't always start with new technology. Sometimes, it starts with failing technology and a director who's willing to think differently. From Fear to Fascination Incorporating never-before-seen footage from Spielberg's and the Benchley family's archives, the documentary also unpacks the unintended impact of the film on marine life. "We were horrified that some people took 'Jaws' as a license to kill sharks," Wendy Benchley recalls. "We determined then and there to learn about sharks ourselves and fight for their protection." Turning Data into Defense Benchley has since become a global advocate for ocean conservation, helping to drive tech-enabled approaches to protect marine ecosystems. 'We can now track illegal fishing vessels using satellite data, and follow shark migration patterns online in real time,' she explains. 'Technology has been a game-changer for ocean advocacy.' A Legacy of Curiosity That transformation—from shark villain to shark protector—is one of the most compelling narratives in the documentary. Benchley says the legacy of Jaws includes a 30% spike in marine science enrollment at universities shortly after the film's release. 'Peter got thousands of letters from young people who wanted to be the next Matt Hooper,' she says. 'That fascination led to real science.' "Jaws @ 50" premiers on National Geographic on July 10. Creative Impact, Then and Now The documentary also showcases modern filmmakers—including J.J. Abrams, Jordan Peele, and James Cameron—explaining how Jaws shaped their creative process and technical approach. Their reflections show how Spielberg's improvisation set a new benchmark for cinematic problem-solving. Final Cut Fifty years later, Jaws @ 50 reframes a pop culture milestone as a masterclass in creative adaptation. It's a reminder that great storytelling isn't about having the best tools. It's about knowing what to do when those tools break—and turning that breakdown into something unforgettable.
