Latest news with #HMCoastguardAberystwyth
Daily Mirror
07-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
Chilling moment 12ft shark lurks feet off UK coast as kids play on shore in warm weather
Shocking footage captured the moment the 12-foot 'mini-Jaws' swam just feet away from the shore at Aberystwyth's North Beach on Friday evening - with stunned crowds gathering to watch as its fin emerged from the water 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.
South Wales Argus
06-05-2025
- General
- South Wales Argus
Another shark sighting on mid Wales coast near Aberdyfi
After a shark - believed to be a juvenile porbeagle shark - was seen by visitors to Aberystwyth over the weekend, a further sighting was made by visitors to Aberdyfi on Sunday afternoon. The shark was reported by social media users swimming in the waters of the estuary near the Penhelig pub. Some speculated that it was the same shark that had been sighted a few days before, but this has not been confirmed. Writing online on Saturday, HM Coastguard Aberystwyth had confirmed the first sighting of a shark in local waters on Friday afternoon, which was the third call-out for the service that day. A post on the service's Facebook page read: "HM Coastguard Aberystwyth were tasked for a 3rd time at approximately 1730hrs at the request of MRCC Milford Haven to assist the British Divers Marine Life Rescue with a 2m long juvenile Porbeagle shark swimming in the area between the pier and the bandstand that was thought to be ill/injured and in danger of beaching itself. "The CRT 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."
Wales Online
06-05-2025
- General
- Wales Online
'Mini jaws' off North Wales coast as public urged to keep distance
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A two metre long shark - nicknamed 'mini-Jaws' - has been spotted next to the shoreline at two beaches in Wales in recent days. The first incident was on Friday evening at Aberystwyth's North Beach. Onlookers spotted the shark close to the wooden jetty on the beach. It was reported to sealife charities and also the coastguard over concerns it was at risk of beaching itself. The public were urged to stay away from the Porbeagle shark over concerns they could get injured and also cause additional stress for the animal. The second spotting was in Aberdyfi, Gwynedd, on Sunday - where Simon Howes and Owen Davies were among those who captured pictures and a video of what is understood to be the same shark. Simon Howes said: "Wow, sharks in Aberdyfi." (Image: Simon Howes) Owen Davies said: "That's a first for me in Aberdyfi - a SHARK up by the Penhelig Arms hotel." One person said: "Probably the same one that was in Aberystwyth." Another added: "Wow! He was in Aber Friday evening, nearly beached himself." (Image: Owen Davies) On the Aberystwyth incident the coastguard said: "HM Coastguard Aberystwyth were tasked at the request of MRCC Milford Haven to assist the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) with a 2m long juvenile Porbeagle shark swimming in the area between the pier and the bandstand that was thought to be ill/injured and in danger of beaching itself. "The CRT 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." Porbeagle sharks: The porbeagle shark belongs to the same family as the great white and Mako sharks. These are fast-swimming, powerful hunters, perfectly adapted to life in the open ocean. They can reach lengths of up to 12 feet (3.65 meters) and weigh over 500 pounds (230 kilograms). Porbeagles are instantly recognizable by their streamlined, torpedo-shaped bodies, large black eyes, and a short, conical snout. Their dorsal side is a sleek bluish-grey, contrasting with a snowy white belly—classic countershading that helps them ambush prey. One tell-tale feature for identification is a distinctive white patch at the base of their dorsal fin, a marker that sets them apart from similar species. Porbeagle sharks are currently listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN globally. In the UK, they are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, and it is illegal to intentionally catch or kill them in British waters. Historically targeted for their meat, fins, and sport (particularly during the 1950s–70s), porbeagles were once a common trophy in offshore game fishing. Today, those practices have largely ceased, but their populations have yet to fully recover. Although porbeagles are physically capable of attacking humans, very few attacks have been attributed to the species. According to the International Shark Attack File, there have only been three incidents involving a porbeagle bite - one provoked and two on boats when fishers were boarding the shark. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox
North Wales Live
06-05-2025
- General
- North Wales Live
'Mini jaws' off North Wales coast as public urged to keep distance
A two metre long shark - nicknamed 'mini-Jaws' - has been spotted next to the shoreline at two beaches in Wales in recent days. The first incident was on Friday evening at Aberystwyth's North Beach. Onlookers spotted the shark close to the wooden jetty on the beach. It was reported to sealife charities and also the coastguard over concerns it was at risk of beaching itself. The public were urged to stay away from the Porbeagle shark over concerns they could get injured and also cause additional stress for the animal. The second spotting was in Aberdyfi, Gwynedd, on Sunday - where Simon Howes and Owen Davies were among those who captured pictures and a video of what is understood to be the same shark. Simon Howes said: "Wow, sharks in Aberdyfi." Owen Davies said: "That's a first for me in Aberdyfi - a SHARK up by the Penhelig Arms hotel." One person said: "Probably the same one that was in Aberystwyth." Another added: "Wow! He was in Aber Friday evening, nearly beached himself." On the Aberystwyth incident the coastguard said: "HM Coastguard Aberystwyth were tasked at the request of MRCC Milford Haven to assist the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) with a 2m long juvenile Porbeagle shark swimming in the area between the pier and the bandstand that was thought to be ill/injured and in danger of beaching itself. "The CRT 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." Porbeagle sharks: The porbeagle shark belongs to the same family as the great white and Mako sharks. These are fast-swimming, powerful hunters, perfectly adapted to life in the open ocean. They can reach lengths of up to 12 feet (3.65 meters) and weigh over 500 pounds (230 kilograms). Porbeagles are instantly recognizable by their streamlined, torpedo-shaped bodies, large black eyes, and a short, conical snout. Their dorsal side is a sleek bluish-grey, contrasting with a snowy white belly—classic countershading that helps them ambush prey. One tell-tale feature for identification is a distinctive white patch at the base of their dorsal fin, a marker that sets them apart from similar species. Porbeagle sharks are currently listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN globally. In the UK, they are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, and it is illegal to intentionally catch or kill them in British waters. Historically targeted for their meat, fins, and sport (particularly during the 1950s–70s), porbeagles were once a common trophy in offshore game fishing. Today, those practices have largely ceased, but their populations have yet to fully recover. Although porbeagles are physically capable of attacking humans, very few attacks have been attributed to the species. According to the International Shark Attack File, there have only been three incidents involving a porbeagle bite - one provoked and two on boats when fishers were boarding the shark.
Cambrian News
06-05-2025
- General
- Cambrian News
Beachgoers told not to approach shark after two spottings
They said in a social media post: "HM Coastguard Aberystwyth were tasked at the request of MRCC Milford Haven to assist the British Divers Marine Life Rescue with a two metre long juvenile Porbeagle shark swimming in the area between the pier and the bandstand that was thought to be ill/injured and in danger of beaching itself.
