Thresher Shark Dies Following Entanglement in Abandoned Net Off Devon Coast

A wildlife trust has reported the death of a shark in Devon, which had previously been rescued from an abandoned net. On 27 November, volunteers from Clovelly Lifeboat Station responded to a call for assistance after a common thresher shark was discovered entangled in a net, commonly referred to as a “ghost net.” Although the shark was successfully returned to the sea, it was subsequently discovered deceased on 30 November on a beach near Clovelly Harbour. The stranding network of the Devon Wildlife Trust identified the shark as an adult female, measuring 4m (13.1ft). The trust indicated that its personnel were present at the beach, but adverse tidal conditions and the specific location prevented them from being able to secure the 200kg animal above the tide line. The trust stated: “Without a post-mortem, we cannot tell for definite how the animal died, but the live stranding/entanglement is highly likely a contributing factor.” A spokesperson for the lifeboat station stated: “Our volunteers were asked to assist in the release of a thresher shark that had become caught in a net.” Despite struggling against an outgoing tide, they ultimately succeeded in returning the shark to the sea alive. The spokesperson added: “Despite the sad outcome, we hope that this shows we will always do everything we can to save all lives at sea.” According to the trust, thresher sharks are deep-water species that typically migrate through the waters off Devon during the summer months. The trust also noted: “Sightings and strandings of thresher sharks have increased in recent years in the South West and are likely to increase in the future, due to warming waters as a result of climate change.”