A lifeguard reportedly punched a shark following a sighting of the creature at a popular beach. St Ouen's Bay on the north-western tip of Jersey was closed on the morning of Saturday, August 1 after reports of a possible shark sighting.
Lifeguard's close encounter
One lifeguard is understood to have attempted to get a closer look at the animal. The shark is believed to have been up to 12 ft long, although its species was not confirmed.
Tom Rolls, an RNLI lifeguard, said his colleague Nick paddled over the animal on a rescue board at about 10.40am, shortly before the beach was shut. Mr Rolls told the Bailiwick Express: "He even said he kind of punched it as he was paddling, so it must have been really close to the surface. It was darkish grey, about 10 to 12 feet long, and then it swam away really quickly from under his board."
Beach closed as precaution
The beach was red flagged – effectively closing it to members of the public – as the species could not be identified.
Wildlife campaigner Richard Peirce, who has published books on sharks in British waters, said he doubts the sighting involved a species such as a Great White. "I haven't seen a good picture of a dorsal fin that might have enabled me to have a stab at the species," he told Metro. "It has to be a good picture because if you get a good enough side on a dorsal fin, it's a bit like a human fingerprint."
He was unsure of what species it could have been but said a basking shark came to mind since it had a large dorsal fin and was close.
Shark species in British waters
Around 30 species of sharks are found in the water surrounding the British Isles, including the blue shark, mako, thresher and poor beagle dubbed a miniature Great White, and the basking shark, the second-largest living shark, Mr Peirce said.
Shark scientist Tom 'The Blowfish' Hird explained that Great Whites are perpetually on the move in pursuit of food sources, and it would be entirely feasible for one to circumnavigate UK waters within a matter of days. He stated that the absence of confirmed sightings of the species in British waters "doesn't mean they're not here already."
