A large thresher shark was discovered dead after being washed ashore on Par beach in Cornwall this week, as the Cornwall Wildlife Trust revealed an autopsy is due to be held
The carcass of a massive shark was discovered washed ashore on a British beach, as an investigation was launched by experts to find out how it died.
The two-and-a-half metre thresher shark was discovered at about 8am on New Year’s Day on Par beach, Cornwall. Described as “shy and harmless” to humans, the large fish cross through UK waters during migrations – usually in the summer months.
Teams from Cornwall Wildlife Trust later collected the body and plan on conducting an autopsy to determine the cause of death. The species is classified as endangered in European waters by the IUCN Red List.
The trust said in a statement: “Initial assessments suggest the shark had experienced significant trauma, likely caused by line-caught sport fishing. Bycatch remains a major threat to ocean wildlife.
“Cornwall Wildlife Trust urges water users to follow safe handling and release practices to protect our marine animals. Huge thanks to our amazing volunteers and community members who helped move the animal safely and kept people at a safe distance.
“Post-mortem results are pending, full results will be published in due course.
Last month a 31st thresher – also known as the Atlantic thresher – was discovered by volunteers entangled in a net which had been abandoned, lost or discarded in the ocean . Volunteers from Clovelly Lifeboat Station, in Devon, were called to help and managed to release the giant fish back into the sea.
However, four days later, it was found dead on a beach close to Clovelly Harbour. Devon Wildlife Trust confirmed the 13-foot shark was an adult female. A spokesman said: “Without a post-mortem we cannot tell for definite how it died, but the live stranding/entanglement is highly likely a contributing factor.”
A representative for the lifeboat station said: “Our volunteers were asked to assist in the release of a thresher shark that had become caught in a net. Struggling against an outgoing tide, they were eventually successful in returning her to the sea alive.”
Later, they added: “Unfortunately we’re very sorry to report that the shark we rescued washed up deceased. We’d like to thank everyone for supporting our volunteers who went above and beyond in their efforts to save her.
“Despite the sad outcome, we hope this shows we will always do everything we can to save all lives at sea.”
