Endangered shark found dead on Cornish beach

An endangered species of shark has been found dead on a Cornish beach.

The 4.25m adult male thresher shark was discovered washed up on Par Beach by a dog walker on New Year's Day.

Volunteers from Cornwall Wildlife Trust's Marine Strandings Network attended the scene shortly after.

Marine Conservation Officer Matt Slater said: "Sadly, initial assessments suggest the shark experienced significant trauma, with damage to the mouth and signs of haemorrhaging, both of which likely occurred before the animal died.

"While difficult to say for certain, early findings suggest the animal’s death may have been the result of line caught sport fishing.

"Bycatch, the accidental entanglement of marine animals in fishing gear, poses a major risk to sharks and other ocean wildlife."

The Trust is urging anyone carrying out commercial or recreational fishing to follow guidance to ensure the safe handling and release of animals accidentally caught.

Mr Slater added: "Cornwall Wildlife Trust is extremely grateful to our amazing volunteers and local community members of who helped move the animal and keep people at a safe distance.

"Following this, the shark was sent for post-mortem by the Cornwall Marine Pathology Team, and full results will be released in due course.

"If any members of the public find a dead animal stranded on Cornwall’s beaches, please call Cornwall Wildlife Trusts Marine Strandings hotline on 0345 201 2626."

Thresher sharks are classified as endangered in European waters by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list.

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