Hundreds of dead sharks and fish wash up on two beaches in Wales
Summary
Hundreds of dead sharks and fish, mostly dogfish (also called catsharks), have washed up on two beaches in Wales. Local experts think these animals were likely caught and discarded by fishing boats or died due to fishing nets left in the ocean.Key Facts
- Hundreds of dead dogfish and other fish were found on Cefn Sidan and Saundersfoot beaches in Wales.
- Dogfish are a small species of shark also known as catsharks.
- Local conservationists say smaller beachings of dogfish happen often, but this large number is unusual.
- It’s possible the fish were caught accidentally by fishing boats targeting other species and then thrown away dead.
- Abandoned fishing nets, known as “ghost nets,” trap and kill many marine animals; one net can kill thousands.
- Around 1 million tonnes of ghost fishing gear enters oceans every year.
- Similar mass deaths of dogfish have been recorded on other Welsh beaches in recent years.
- Bottom trawling, a fishing method dragging nets along the sea floor, may contribute to such incidents.
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