A massive 10ft porbeagle shark, a close relative of the great white, snatched a bass from a fishing line and bit it clean in half off the coast of Lulworth, Dorset. The encounter left experienced angler Ben Humber and his companion stunned.
Shark Steals Double Catch
Humber, who was fishing for bass from a small boat, described the moment the shark appeared. "We'd just had a double hookup when my mate suddenly shouted, 'I've hooked a shark, I've hooked a shark,'" he said. "Moments later, a huge porbeagle appeared right behind the boat, right between the main and auxiliary engines, with his bass firmly in its jaws."
According to Humber, the shark estimated at 10ft long and 300lb, bit the bass in half with a single shake of its head. "Then it came back looking to finish the job, chasing the remaining head that still had the lure attached," he added. "It's not every day you witness something like this from a small boat. An incredible reminder of what's swimming beneath us off the south coast."
Porbeagle Shark Characteristics
Porbeagles are a species of mackerel shark and close relatives of the great white. They can grow up to 12ft long and weigh more than 500lbs. Known for their speed and power, they are often found in cold and temperate waters across the North Atlantic.
Recent Shark Sighting in Jersey
The sighting comes weeks after a 14ft (4.2m) smalltooth sand tiger shark washed up on the shores of Jersey, weighing 1,316lb (596.9kg). The shark, discovered on June 7, was a species not previously recorded in Jersey. A post-mortem by New Era vets found no obvious cause of death or signs of fisheries interaction.
