UK swimmers are being warned to remain vigilant after a number of large sharks have been spotted close to British coastlines.
It is believed the predators have been drawn to the waters following the biggest haul of mackerel in over 30 years, reports the Daily Star.
Mackerel is the staple diet of native shark breeds and it is thought they will follow their food source to shallow waters off the south coast.
Last week, a fisherman caught a 7ft long Porbeagle shark – a relative of the great white – just metres away from a holiday beach in Pembrokeshire, Wales. And, earlier this week, a group of anglers reeled in a huge 26 stone shark in Cornwall.
Porbeagles are usually found several miles offshore but there are fears that could change due to the surge in mackerel numbers.
Now bathers are being urged to be on the lookout for large shoals of mackerel when swimming in case there is a shark on the hunt…
Fisherman, Graham Pullen, said:
This huge influx of mackerel is sure to draw in the sharks – blue sharks, thresher sharks and the porbeagle shark all eat mackerel.
It might be wise for people to be aware of any big shoals of mackerel as you never know what sort of predator might be hunting them.
Mackerel usually inhabit British waters in May but it has only been in the last few weeks that fishermen have noticed them in great number.
Tom Greasty, skipper at Swanage Sea Fishing in Dorset, said:
It has been like someone has opened a door and let them all in and now they’re everywhere.
That’s the Mackerel, not the sharks. But still, be on the lookout guys…
