The Daily Mirror reported that sharks had disappeared from around the coasts of the Isle of Wight on 3rd October 1974.
In an article entitled ‘The Last of the Big ‘Uns’, the Mirror claimed that the Isle of Wight area had previously been hailed as ‘the shark fishers Eldorado’, where huge and frequent catches were made, making charter boat skippers rich. However, 50 years ago, the sharks largely disappeared,
The newspaper reported that there were still sharks to be caught, but their numbers had decreased dramatically.
Shark hunter Trevor Housby blamed over-fishing of their main food – mackerel – for their disappearance. The Mirror stated that too many fish had been taken by commercial and pleasure fishermen.
Mirror fishing expert Hal Mount agreed with the shark hunter, claiming:
“Fewer mackerel have appeared on the scene this year – far fewer than I can ever remember. Is this the result of overfishing or could ocean pollution be responsible?”
Furthermore, the appearance of mackerel also coincided with that of whitebait. In 1974, the whitebait shoals were said to have been “almost non-existent”.
40 of the world’s 400 species of shark can be found living or visiting UK waters. These include:
- the fastest shark in the sea – the shortfin mako – capable of reaching speeds of up to 50mph
- the world’s largest shark – the basking shark – a ‘gentle giant’ which can reach lengths of up to 40 feet
- the migratory blue shark, which visits the British Isles every summer
- the 20-foot common thresher shark, which uses its large tail to stun its prey
- the mysterious and rarely encountered Greenland shark – the longest-lived vertebrates on the planet – with a life-span of up to 400 years
Shark attacks in British waters are extremely rare. However, 2 have happened off the coast of the Isle of Wight.
On 3rd September 1925, a Mr S Page was fishing off Shanklin when a shark rammed his boat and lifted it right out the water. Fortunately, he suffered no injuries.
On 15th June 1981, 2 fishermen suffered minor injuries off the coast of the Isle of Wight when a 13ft thresher shark leapt aboard their boat.
Sharks are now thought to be increasing in numbers around the British Isles due to global warming. Sightings have even been made of the Great White – the world’s most deadly shark – in British waters, although these have yet to be confirmed by scientists…
Still no Sharks out there or bait for them to feed on….