Blue shark spotted swimming in Weymouth harbour
A blue shark was spotted cruising a harbor on the south coast.
The 1.2 meter long creature was spotted wandering along the dockside in Weymouth, Dorset.
The port is popular with tourists for crabbing and is close to the town’s beach, which regularly attracts thousands of people.
Artist Rob Young spotted the shark while wandering along the harbor wall.
Although blue sharks are native to British waters, they generally live further out to sea in deeper areas.
Attacks on humans are extremely rare, primarily due to their limited interactions with humans.
“I was surprised to see the shark, I’ve never seen it this close to shore before,” Mr Young said.
“Perhaps it was after the pollock was under the boats or he was momentarily disoriented and acting outside of normal behavioral patterns.”
One expert said the shark was probably hunting prey fish.
Kico Iraola, curator of the SeaLife Center in Weymouth, said: “It is unusual for blue sharks to remain in busy harbors or near popular swimming areas.
“The reduced availability of prey species, particularly mackerel, in recent years may also contribute to emaciated individuals entering areas where they would not normally be seen.”
Dorset Wildlife Trust’s marine services assistant Hayley Roberts confirmed it was a blue shark.
“This species has a long, slender shape, a long tapered snout, long pointed pectoral fins and a metallic blue body.
“Blue sharks are mainly found in UK waters from May to October, when females predominate, water conditions are suitable and prey is plentiful.
“They are generally well spotted offshore so it is quite rare to see one in port although it does happen from time to time.
“There has been an increase in sightings of blue sharks, as well as other shark species such as porbeagles and thresher sharks, off the south coast in recent years.
“There are several possible reasons for this, including increased protection and changes in ocean conditions such as warming seas, but the exact reasons are still being investigated.”
Blue sharks can grow up to 13 ft and 400 lbs. They are found in oceans around the world.
They spend the winter months in the more tropical waters of the Caribbean or West Africa, but travel to the northwestern Atlantic for the summer.
The number of blue sharks off the south-west coast has increased rapidly in recent years.
This is thought to be due to rising sea temperatures and the very healthy state of nutrient-rich offshore waters that attract game fish such as squid.
The Florida Museum of Natural History maintains the International Shark Attack File, which lists 13 confirmed human bites.
