A rare 14ft smalltooth sand tiger shark has washed up on a beach in County Wexford, Ireland. This is believed to be the first instance of this particular species of shark being found in Irish waters. The shark’s carcass was discovered by a local beachcomber, who alerted authorities. The discovery has left experts baffled, as smalltooth sand tiger sharks are usually found in warm waters across the world, from New York to Australia. It is unclear how the shark ended up in Irish waters, but it is speculated it may have been brought here by warmer currents, or become lost while chasing prey. The shark’s carcass has now been sent for study. This will include genetic analysis to determine which population the shark belonged to. The smalltooth sand tiger shark is listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List. This is due to its low reproductive rate and the low number of individuals that remain in the wild. The discovery of this specimen in Irish waters highlights the need for further research into the species and their movements.
