Lost & Found
Smalltooth sand tiger shark, Hampshire
Back in March, a rare, poorly known shark species never before recorded in British waters washed up on a Hampshire beach. The smalltooth sand tiger shark is known from just 200 or so records globally, and has never before been seen in the north-east Atlantic farther north than the Bay of Biscay.
The unfortunate creature was first seen struggling in shallow water, but appeared to swim off after being assisted by a beachgoer. Hours later, though, it was found dead on the beach. Photos of the 2m-plus shark carcass were shared widely on social media, subsequently making the national news.
Experts identified the shark from the number and position of its dorsal fins and its diagnostic dentition. The Zoological Society of London requested the corpse for study but, by the following morning, the head, tail and another fin had been removed, prompting well-known broadcaster Dan Snow, who helped retrieve the corpse, to issue an appeal for the return of the missing parts that would be so invaluable to scientists.
Another smalltooth sand tiger shark has since washed up in County Wexford, Ireland.
Rising sea temperatures have resulted in an increase in sharks visiting England’s south coast in recent years, with offshore anglers regularly catching mature blue, thresher and porbeagle sharks in the summer months. However, occasional plankton blooms seem to create a barrier to sharks moving east into the English Channel.
The 40 or so shark species recorded in British waters include 21 residents and 11 deepwater species. The infamous great white is thought to visit rarely; despite many claims, no sighting has yet been proven.