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LONDON — Scientists in Britain are searching for a rather unusual missing object: a rare shark head that was chopped off and taken away after the fish washed up on a beach.
Conservationists and experts are so desperate to find the head that they even promised whoever took it that there would be no judgment and that they could get it back after scientists examined it.
That’s because the shark was identified as a small-toothed sand tiger shark. Not only is it a rare species, but conservationists say it’s rarely seen this far north in the north-east Atlantic, making its discovery in Hampshire, southern England, one that can provide valuable information about the species.
The shark had previously made headlines before its death when a brave local woman saw the shark stranded in shallow waters off Lepe Beach and jumped in, pulling the shark by its tail into deeper waters so it could get to safety.
But the shark didn’t survive long when locals discovered its body washed up on the beach on Saturday. However, biologists were quickly thrilled when they realized the shark was a rare find – and enlisted the help of local residents, including TV historian Dan Snow, to secure the remains for study by scientists.
Unfortunately, by the time locals returned to retrieve the shark’s body, “trophy hunters” had already “chopped off the head, dorsal fin and tail”, Snow, who lives in the area and had seen the shark before it was decapitated, said in a video posted on Twitter.
“[It is] really disappointing because scientists and marine biologists sent us there to try and secure the carcass of this unique find in UK waters,” said Snow.
“It’s not illegal to take parts of dead fish that wash ashore so there’s no judging, but if you’ve taken the head please get in touch, let the scientists take a look , and then you can keep it,” he added.
Yesterday’s reports from a stranded person #shark proved particularly exceptional as pictures suggested it was a Smalltooth Sand Tiger, which is rare in its range, let alone the UK south coast!
Sad to hear the head and tail were removed under cover of darkness. https://t.co/18lys7GtMg pic.twitter.com/E9O1buUqVZ— The Shark Trust (@SharkTrustUK) March 19, 2023
Snow later released a video of himself collecting the shark’s organs for the London-based international conservation organization Zoological Society of London (ZSL), which will study the remains.
Some of the shark’s internal organs have also been removed, said Rob Deaville, project manager for a ZSL program studying when sharks and other marine life wash up in England and Wales, in a phone interview.
Deaville said researchers could still glean some information from the remains — including the shark’s genetics, any contaminants it was exposed to and possibly even its dietary habits — but noted that investigations are no longer focused on the cause of death would.
Ben Garrod, professor of evolutionary biology at the University of East Anglia, said the shark’s head would have allowed researchers to study the brain as well as the chemical makeup of the teeth, which would have provided insight into the shark’s origins. Even the lens of his eye could have provided information about its life history and ecology, Hannah Rudd, a marine scientist at Shark Hub UK, said via email.
“It’s like finding a Roman bust, beautifully preserved, and then someone took off the head and arms — well, first of all, you don’t know who it is,” Garrod said in a phone interview.
“No judgement, but you have a lot more chance of contributing to something really exciting, really important by giving the head back – so if you wanted to give it away outside of an aquarium or fish and chip shop in the area it would be Great.”
According to the Shark Trust, a British organization focused on shark study and conservation, the sand tiger’s range in the north-east Atlantic extends only to the tip of the Bay of Biscay on the west coast of France. Even within this area, the sharks are rarely seen, a statement said, “making this report an extraordinary one.”
“The head in particular is key to deciphering intricate details of the shark’s life, even before birth, so we’d love to hear any news on its whereabouts!” said the trust.
Climate change could play a role in reports of larger-than-average fish in unexpected areas. (Video: John Farrell, Brian Monroe/Washington Post)
Small-toothed sand tiger sharks grow up to four meters in length and are usually found towards the seabed. The Guardian reported that the one spotted on Lepe Beach was two meters long.
While the sighting of this shark has not been linked to climate change, a number of studies have shown the effects of rising temperatures on the world’s oceans. Last year, ocean heat broke records for the third straight year, reaching the highest temperature since reliable measurements began in 1958.
The oceans have risen to another record temperature in 2022
A 2022 study found that about a third of marine life could disappear within 300 years if greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, while another in 2014 found that ocean acidification is disrupting sharks’ sense of smell — and their ability to hunt impaired .
“With climate change and biodiversity loss, this particular shark species could be replacing an existing species in this area, it could be moving to new waters due to climate change,” Garrod said. “We don’t know about these things because we don’t have the whole shark.”