'Proceed with extreme caution': Shark with unusually large fin sparks concern among beachgoers
CORNWALL, UK: An unusually large fin spotted in the waters around Cornwall left beachgoers shocked as they were warned to proceed with caution following the reported shark sighting. Swimmers at Gunwalloe near Porthleven, South Cornwall, were stunned by the size of the fin, photos of which were taken by a local residents after the freak sighting at around 11 am Sunday morning, February 19.
Jacquie Williams was able to capture an image of what appears to be a rather large shark fin not far from the popular beach, sparking alarm among residents and beachgoers. One resident, however, said the fin seemed too large for "the average basking shark."
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Not the 'average basking shark'
"The photo was taken at around 11 am at Gunwalloe from about 30 meters-ish. I can't say what type of shark it is but it doesn't look like the average basking shark so thought I would just mention its presence just in case," she explained, as quoted by Cornwall Live. "Either way, dangerous or not, it's unusual to see any type of shark inshore this time of year and with a fin that size." Williams, who snapped the photo, has lived in Cornwall all her life and agreed it wasn't a basking shark considering it had only one dorsal fin. Nonetheless, her son-in-law posted the image on Facebook and urged locals and tourists to be careful while at the beach.
"Hi everyone, this shark was spotted at the other end of the beach at Gunwalloe this afternoon by my Mrs's mum, so any winter swimmers might want to proceed with extreme caution as it looks rather large," he captioned the photo as she shared it on a local community page. A number of social media users were left speculating whether it was actually a shark. Some observers proposed that the fin could belong to a dolphin or even a seal, considering the low-quality image makes it hard to confirm. Others questioned the authenticity of the photo and wondered whether it was photoshopped.
Increase in predators
A spokesman for the British Divers Marine Life Rescue also refuted claims it could be a shark. Speaking to the Daily Mail, the area coordinator for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly at the British Divers Marine Life Rescue said it could be a "seal bottling," when they float around the water and their faces stick up to resemble a triangle. "I believe by looking at the photo that the seal is asleep in the water with its head upright," the spokesman added. Meanwhile, they also reported an increase in predators such as humpback whales along the Cornish coast, which they believe is due to "climate change or an increase of population as they return to their past habitats."
That said, this is barely the first time sharks have been seemingly spotted along the Cornish coast. A blue shark was seen near Trelissick beach last summer. And in August last year, the Penzance Coastguard Rescue Team rescued a snorkeler who was believed to have sustained a shark bite. However, blue shark attacks on humans are "extremely rare", with only four fatal and 25 non-fatal attacks having been confirmed, per the British Sea Fishing website.