Chilling moment 12ft shark lurks feet off UK coast as kids play on shore in warm weather
Beachgoers basking in the UK's sizzling temperatures last week 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. 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 beache's 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."
The second shark sighting came on Sunday, also in Wales - in Aberdyfi, Gwynedd. It is understood to be the same shark. Witnesses Simon Howes and Owen Davies managed to capture the creature on video. Davies said: "That's a first for me in Aberdyfi - a shark up by the Penhelig Arms Hotel."
HM Coastguard Aberystwyth said they were contacted by the Milford Haven Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre to assist the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) charity. The coastguard said: "The coastguard rescue team were tasked to provide safety cover for BDMLR and also to provide a bit of crowd control to ensure no members of the public put themselves in harms way, or inadvertently caused the shark further distress.
"After low tide and no further sightings, 'mini jaws' had seemingly made it out of the bay and so the CRT were stood down."
While the Porbeagle shark is native to the UK, it is usually found in deeper water, where it hunts a range of smaller fish, including mackerel, herring, octopus, and squid. The strong swimmers, belonging to the same family as the Great White and Mako sharks, are known for being able to travel huge distances.
Porbeagle sharks are known for their torpedo-shaped bodies, black eyes, and short conical snout, as well as a distinctive white patch at the base of their dorsal fin. The species are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 - meaning it is an offence to intentionally kill or catch them in UK waters.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Cambrian News
4 days ago
- Cambrian News
Seagull kicked outside chip shop dies, RSPCA appeals
'We would also like to remind people that gulls and their nests are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, It is illegal to do anything that causes suffering to gulls, or that damages or destroys active nests.'
Cambrian News
5 days ago
- Cambrian News
Aberystwyth geographer wins award for scientific research and Welsh-medium teaching
She went on to complete a PhD at Aberystwyth University, supported by a Welsh-Medium Teaching Postgraduate Scholarship from the Centre for the Development of Welsh-medium Higher Education.
Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Daily Mirror
UK beachgoers make tragic discovery as stranded 'dolphin' turns out to be rare mammal
Beachgoers walking along Hunstanton Beach in Norfolk were left horrified by what they thought was a dead dolphin washed up on the shore - but it was something much rarer Beachgoers strolling along a Norfolk coastline made a tragic discovery when they stumbled upon what they first believed was a dolphin. But on closer examination, they realised it wasn't actually a dead dolphin on Hunstanton Beach, but rather a deceased whale - an extremely rare Sowerby's Beaked whale. This aquatic creature is exceptionally uncommon, with the whales typically hunting deep sea fish and squid whilst living their lives hundreds of metres below the ocean's surface. The mammals are so scarce there are believed to be just around 500 remaining on Earth, with that figure tragically falling by one following this latest discovery. After the whale's heartbreaking death, a comprehensive investigation was launched once Hunstanton Coastguard were alerted to the beach incident. In a statement regarding the August 6 incident, Hunstanton Coastguard said: "Team tasked to a possible whale or dolphin washed ashore. On arrival, it was clear from the size that this was not a dolphin. "Bystanders reported that they had tried to help the mammal back into the sea. Having requested en route the attendance of British Divers Marine Life Rescue, we were soon joined by three of their members. "They quickly ascertained that the whale was in fact dead and identified it as a Sowerby's Beaked whale; a rare species for this area." The spokesperson also provided details about the coastguard's assessment of the whale. They added: "Together we examined the whale, looking in particular for any injuries that might establish the cause of death. "The whale was also measured and all relevant data was subsequently used to complete the Fishes Royal form. As darkness fell, the examination was called off, being unsafe to continue. BDMLR returned the following day to continue their examination. "Upon return to the station, all kit was thoroughly cleaned due to the possible presence of marine bacteria and bodily fluids." British Divers Marine Life Rescue were also at the scene, examining the female whale and emphasising the significance of such incidents. Their spokesperson explained: "This week, a female Sowerby's beaked whale - a rarely seen, deep-diving ocean species - was discovered stranded on the mud of a Norfolk beach. "Very little is known about them, which is why every stranding matters. Pending necessary permissions, Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme may be able to carry out a necropsy to better understand this individual's life and cause of death. "These types of strandings are rare, but serve as a reminder of the hidden lives in our oceans."
