Are There Sharks in British Waters?

Are there sharks in British waters? It’s a common question we get asked here at OA Surf Club.

Well, the answer is yes, over forty species to be precise!

Rest assured, only twenty-one of those forty are year-round inhabitants of British waters. Furthermore, they are generally not a significant cause for concern to beach users.

Sightings of native shark species in UK waters are more frequent, thanks to modern technology and an increasing interest. However, sadly, many of our native shark species are increasingly threatened by overfishing, habitat loss and climate change.

As scary as the prospect of encountering sharks in the ocean is, sharks make up an essential component of our marine ecosystem as they:

• aid in population control of prey species, which allows other species to flourish
• pick off old and sick animals, and this keeps fish populations healthy
• aid in a thriving economy (global shark tourism is a $300 million + per year industry)

Here is a list of just some of the sharks that can be found around the British coastline:

Full Time Residents

Spiny Dogfish (Squalus acanthias)

More commonly referred to as 'Spurdogs'. These are small sharks that inhabit the waters around the UK, known for their distinctive jagged spines in front of their dorsal fins. They are opportunistic predators that regularly feed off of small fish and invertebrates. While they can bite if mishandled, they are generally not dangerous to humans. Spurdogs are the most prevalent shark in UK waters on this list, you can expect to catch sight of them all year round!

 

Porbeagle Shark (Lamna nasus)

A relative of the infamous Great White, the Porbeagle shark is a relatively large species that inhabits the colder waters of the North Atlantic, including the waters around the UK. They are immensely strong swimmers, and have been known to cover over thousands of kilometres when migrating. While they are a carnivorous predator, Porbeagle sharks are not typically a threat to humans. The best time to catch a glimpse of these beautiful creatures, renowned for their sleek, muscular physique, is June to October.

Fun fact: They are often mistaken for White sharks, resulting in numerous false sightings of their larger, more ferocious cousins in UK waters.

 

Common Smoothhound Shark (Mustelus mustelus)

Smoothhound sharks are smaller species commonly found in the coastal waters of the UK. They have a very distinctive appearance- with smooth, bronze-coloured skin and a sleek, slender physique. They are bottom-dwelling creatures that are often targeted by anglers and are not considered a threat to humans. Unfortunately, despite their peaceful nature, they are classified as Endangered according to the IUCN Red List.

 

Tope Shark (Galeorhinus galeus)

Also known as the school shark, the Tope shark is a common species found in British waters all year round. They are easily identifiable by the distinct notched tail and their sleek, greyish-brown colouring, and can often be sighted in large schools off UK coastlines during summer months.  They are often caught by anglers and are considered incredibly harmless to humans, so long as they are unprovoked.

 

Nursehound (Scyliorhinus stellaris)

Nursehounds are a large species of catshark found all year round in UK waters. They prefer to spend their time along the ocean floor in rocky areas with a lot of algae. They have a varied diet of cephalopods, crustaceans, small fish and even other shark species, which they hunt for during the night. They are easily identifiable due to their long, slender body, and stocky heads, as well as their distinctive spotted skin. Unfortunately, these gentle bottom-dwellers are listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN Red List.

 

Small-Spotted Catshark (Scyliorhinus canicula)

This small species of shark is commonly found in the waters of the North Atlantic, including the coastal areas of the UK.  They are easily identifiable by their pale-cream skin colour, large dark eyes and tiny mouths, and when threatened it is common to see them curled up in a  donut-like shape. Evidence of their breeding habits can often be found on UK beaches in the form of 'mermaid purses' (egg cases). They are a harmless bottom-dwelling shark that has a thriving population in UK waters.

Fun fact: Their skin is very rough, covered in 'dermal denticles', which feels a lot like sandpaper if rubbed the wrong way! It does have a functional purpose however- it provides them with some strong outer armour!

Seasonal Guests

Basking Shark (Cetorhinus maximus)

Basking sharks are the second-largest fish species in the world, and they are often seen swimming near the surface with their large mouths open to filter plankton from the water. They are harmless to humans and are considered gentle filter feeders. The best time to see these gentle giants is around May- October, and lucky for us here at OA Surf Club, Cornwall is one of the UK hot-spots for sightings!

Blue Shark (Prionace glauca)

Named for their distinctive colouring, Blue Sharks are often spotted off the coasts of southwest England, Wales, and Scotland. These sharks are highly migratory, so they can be encountered in the open ocean as well as in offshore regions around the UK. They are incredibly curious creatures, often approaching divers and boats, however aggressive behaviour towards humans is not typical.

Fun fact: these oceanic travellers can journey over 5,700 miles (9,200km) in a single trip!

 

Thresher Shark (Alopias spp.)

Thresher sharks are known for their long tail fins, named for it's scythe-like appearance, which they use to stun prey. They have a typical torpedo-like body shape, which allows them to swim up to speeds of almost forty miles per hour. They are rare in UK waters and are typically found in deeper offshore areas, where hunting opportunities are better. However, when they do venture close to our shorelines, it's usually during the summer months.

Conservation

While this list is only a handful of the many species of sharks that call the UK home, even some of those mentioned in this article are under threat of extinction.

Overfishing practices on a global scale often result in sharks being caught in fishing nets, their habitat destroyed, and their primary sources of food disappearing from hunting grounds.

Furthermore, when sharks are sighted in UK waters, the sensational way they are reported on in news outlets generates bad press for these gentle creatures. It's important to remember that the few shark species in the world that are a legitimate threat to humans are not present in the British marine ecosystem.

If you encounter a shark while swimming, surfing, or participating in water activities, it's generally best to remain calm and avoid any sudden movements. In most cases, the shark will likely move on without any interaction.

How to help?

Their are numerous ways we as individuals can help support our native marine wildlife to thrive again in British waters.

• Donating to charity- organisations like The Shark Trust, who work to put pressure on local governments and fisheries in an effort to stop overfishing practices that threaten the survival of sharks in UK waters.
• Fundraising- organise fun runs, bake sales etc to raise money for charity organisations, and to raise awareness in local areas.
• Raise awareness- encounters and sightings of sharks is cause for celebration, posting photos online and showcasing their natural beauty can help change perspectives for the better.