Experts have been left baffled after an enormous shark washed up in a Wexford village over the weekend.
A tourist was walking near Kilmore Quay on Saturday when they came across the extremely rare sight.
They contacted scientists who rushed to the scene and confirmed it was a 14 foot smalltooth sand tiger shark - although at first they “couldn’t believe it”.
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It’s believed to be the first time this shark - also known as Odontaspis ferox - has ever been recorded in Irish waters.
This species of shark is rarely encountered by humans because it is normally distributed in deep water over 100m offshore.
While found in a number of locations in temperate and tropical seas worldwide, this species was thought to be distributed only as far north as the Bay of Biscay in the eastern Atlantic, with scientists surprised to see it so much further north.
Another of this species washed up on the south English coast just two weeks ago, which experts say is "very strange" and "a little concerning".
Shark biologist Dr Nicholas Payne, an assistant professor in Trinity’s School of Natural Sciences, was notified about the discovery when Swiss tourist Martin sent him an email with photos.
He said: “I couldn’t believe it when I got this random email from Martin, because as soon as I saw the photos he sent I knew we had to get down there urgently to sample this rare animal.”
The Trinity team accompanied by a UCD scientist rushed against the incoming tide to take as many measurements and samples as possible so they could learn about the biology of this uncommon animal, and hopefully learn why it died.
Dr Payne continued: “Unfortunately, another of this species washed up on the south English coast just two weeks ago; we all thought that was very strange at the time given the northerly location, but to see a second one here so soon after is a little concerning. We will now do a number of tests to try to learn what might have caused this to happen and also to learn more about this species in general.”
Smalltooth sand tiger sharks, which pose no risk to people, are currently assessed as “vulnerable” by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.
While not specifically targeted by commercial fisheries, they may face threats such as bycatch, or from pollution.
Maximum recorded size for females of this species is around 15 foot, putting this Irish specimen – which was a female – at the upper end of their size limits.
Dr Jenny Bortoluzzi, who helped with the dissection, said: “We’re very excited to have taken so many great quality samples from this particular rare specimen as this information will be invaluable to increasing our knowledge of the species’ biology and ecology through numerous national and international collaborations.
“It’s also wonderful that a member of the public contacted us because it shows increasing awareness, and we hope this encourages more people to get in touch in the future should they come across something similar.”
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