A rare 14ft shark washed up on the shore in Co Wexford, Ireland, leading marine experts to look into the cause. This incident is reported to be the first of its kind in Ireland. The shark was found in Blackwater, near Curracloe Beach, by local man Fintan Kelly, who took pictures of the animal and shared them on social media. Experts said the shark was a female and weighed around 750 kg. They were unsure of the species as it was badly decomposed, but they believe it was a Greenland shark.
Due to the rarity of the incident, the Marine Institute took samples of the shark to test for disease and find out if it had any abnormalities. The Institute also asked the public not to disturb the animal as it might reveal more clues about the shark’s life. Greenland sharks are known to be one of the world’s largest sharks, and they are found in the North Atlantic Ocean. They were named after their greenish-grey color, but their skin can also be black or brown, and they can grow up to around 23ft long.
Experts are puzzled by the incident as they rarely encounter such creatures. David O’Sullivan, director of the biodiversity and marine research division of the Marine Institute, said that the discovery opens up new questions about the shark’s movements and behavior. He said that it was too early to say what had happened to the shark, but that it was a very unusual event.
Meanwhile, locals expressed concern over the shark’s discovery on the beach, with some saying they were worried about pollution levels in the sea. Others were interested in the scientific aspect of the discovery and were pleased to see such a rare animal so close to home.
The discovery of the rare shark is considered of great scientific importance, and its long life (more than 200 years) makes it especially interesting. The Marine Institute’s research could help to shed light on the behavior and life cycle of this mysterious creature. Greenland sharks are the only sharks known to spend their entire lives in Arctic waters, likely due to their slow metabolism, which allows them to survive in cold temperatures. They primarily feed on fish and other sharks and are known to occasionally eat seals and whales.
Despite the rarity of the incident, local officials have reminded members of the public to avoid coming too close to any such animal, both for their own safety and to preserve the integrity of the specimens for scientific study.
