Don't panic! Dorset is home to lots of shark species
A Dorset shark expert says fears over large animals seen in the water are possibly overblown
Last updated 10th Aug 2021
'Don't panic'; a Dorset shark expert says there's no reason to worry after reports of a large animal seen along the coast this week.
Lifeguards at Boscombe beach asked beach visitors to evacuate the water on Wednesday after the reports. They scanned the area as a precautionary measure and visitors were allowed back in the water half an hour later.
But, the news shouldn't stop you from getting in the water according to Dr Georgia Jones of Bournemouth University.
She says sharks are nothing new when it comes to Dorset's coast, and many species call the area their home.
She told Hits Radio:
"I wouldn't be surprised at all if people had seen a shark, shark sightings have been pretty common in Dorset.
"We've never had a recorded bite. The only recorded bite in the UK happened a couple of years back where a shark that doesn't even have pointy teeth nibbled a surfer on the thumb and caused a bit of a bruise. So, people of the UK; don't panic."
Several species are common along the Dorset Coast. None of them are dangerous. The Porbeagle, a relative of the Great White Shark, is notoriously shy of humans and will steer well clear of us.
Dr Jones added:
"Most likely it was probably a smooth-hound shark, because there's been lots of reports of them very recently using shallow waters around the Dorset coast.
"They've been filmed at Sandbanks, they're here every summer. They come to feed on crabs so they don't have pointy teeth, they've got flat crushing plates."
Smooth-hounds generally only grow to be only just above a metre in length. Reports said whatever was spotted was 'large', but that doesn't clear things up, says Dr Jones.
"It depends on what your definition of incredibly large is. Basking Sharks can get up to 12 meters. They are the second largest fish in the sea that we get around the UK.
"All of the reports I've seen people have just said there was a large disturbance and maybe a fin; could have been a dolphin.
"We've had sharks around the UK. They've always been here, we have several species. They're beautiful, they're vital for our health functioning eco-systems. We should be happy they're here and understand they don't cause us problems."