Shark found dead on Northumberland coast after six pilot whales die
A dead shark and a porpoise have been found washed up on the Northumberland coast – following the recent death of six whales.
The porbeagle shark was found dead at Hadston Rocks at Druridge Bay on Thursday, September 24.
The British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) said that when they initially received the photo, they thought it had been made by artificial intelligence.
However, their marine mammal medics attended the scene and confirmed that the photo was real and the body of the shark has now been recovered.
A spokesperson from the BDMLR said: “When a report of a stranded shark at Druridge Bay came in earlier this week, the initial photos had us dubious, as it looked like a terrible AI rendering.
“Our Marine Mammal Medics attended and confirmed it was a real, sadly deceased shark, appearing to be a large porbeagle with scavenger damage likely from seals.”
The shark's body will be handed over to the Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme (CSIP) to determine its cause of death.
The BDMLR spokesperson added: "The shark has now been recovered and placed in cold storage, awaiting future examination by Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme- UK strandings.
"Hopefully a closer look will help piece together more of the story.”
Just a few days later on Monday, September 28, a dead porpoise was found on the same beach.
A spokesperson from HM Coastguard said: “At 10.01am on Monday 28 September, HM Coastguard was made aware of a deceased porpoise at Druridge Bay, Northumberland.
"Amble Coastguard Rescue Team was called, along with British Divers Marine Life Rescue, and a report was made. The Receiver of Wreck was also notified.”
The find came after a pod of around 40 pilot whales was spotted in distress off the coast at Amble on Sunday, September 20.
Following this, the BDMLR confirmed that six of the whales were found dead on Coquet Island.