After a snorkeler was bitten by a blue shark off the coast of Cornwall last week, people living in coastal towns across England and Wales were left asking whether they could become 2022’s answer to Amity Island from the Jaws film franchise, with tourists fearful of going into the water in case of further attacks as warmer waters invite dangerous predators.
Fortunately, right now it seems that attacks like these are extremely rare. In fact it has been reported that this is the first of its kind anywhere around in the UK since 1847!
Indeed, a spokesperson for the Blue Shark Snorkel company whom the snorkeler was diving with said, “These occurrences are extremely rare and can be easily misunderstood so we want this to be dealt with as sensibly as possible.
“As we know, these things can happen when we choose to interact with wild animals in their own environment. The last thing we want is to let speculation drive the media into a world of bad press for the sharks, under no fault of their own.”
Blue Sharks are not new to the area and have been migrating there over the summer months from the Atlantic for many years. It is understood that a ‘chumming’ technique – throwing fish entrails – was being used to attract the sharks close to the boat before swimmers entered the water.
In a feeding frenzy a blue shark may have mistaken the woman for bait as this species are not known to attack humans.
Fortunately, despite some of the more dramatic reports in the national press, the woman did not sustain any serious injuries and was able to walk away from the coastguard boat which picked her up before receiving minor medical treatment.
But Will UK Waters Remain Safe As Temperatures Rise?
So, despite this recent event, shark attacks in the waters around our coastline are rare, but could that change in the future?
For UK holiday-makers the idea of sharks in our waters can be terrifying. This apex predator has a fearsome reputation from its representation in the media and popular culture. From the classic mechanical jaws in the 1970s movie to AI
depictions in films like MEG and even crazy, sharp-toothed cartoon versions from online games, sharks are always the bad guys ready to wrap their jaws around some unsuspecting victim.
And it may surprise you to learn that it is believed that there are already around 40 species of shark in UK waters, including Blue Sharks, Basking Sharks and Porbeagles.
So, are our seas about to become home to more dangerous predators like the infamous Great White?
Well, it seems so. Earlier this year it was reported that an infant Great White had been photographed near Goring-by-Sea in West Sussex. And scientists tracked a 17 ft pregnant female shark just 1700 nautical miles off the coast of Britain in 2021.
They say she was easily within reach of our shores.
In fact, shark experts are now debating not if, but when great whites will begin making a trip to the UK a regular part of their migration journeys. And with climate change accelerating and our summers getting warmer by the year, you better keep your eyes peeled next time you decide to take a dip off the Pembrokeshire coast!
