UK waters could soon see terrifying great white sharks, experts warn

13 July 2024 , 12:54

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The UK’s sea tempreature often sits at 16C, creating perfect conditions for the sharks ( Image: Getty Images)

Scientists claim some UK waters create the ’perfect’ environment for great white sharks to thrive in during the summer months - with two areas considered hotspots

An army of great white sharks are making their way to UK waters this summer, scientists have claimed.

With British sea temperatures hovering at a mild 16C during the summer, the "perfect" environment is created for the terrifying sea creatures to thrive in, experts say. Utah-based Ocearch, whose scientists keep track of 437 marine animals, said Ireland and Cornwall were hotspots for the sharks in the summer. 

This is due to the area’s high population of seals, which the great whites like to feed on. The ocean beasts, armed with around 300 teeth, can also detect the smallest drop of blood from a quarter-mile away, allowing them to sneak up on their pray before suddenly chomping into flesh.

Chris Fischer, founder of Ocearch, previously told The Times: "We believe that Mediterranean white sharks should be moving north to feed on seals, like all the other populations we have worked on. We believe they should be moving up past Brest [in Brittany] and Cornwall." 

But some scientists are not as conviced. Gavin Naylor, Director for the Florida Program for Shark Research, told the Mirror: "White sharks likely venture into UK waters from time to time but not into coastal areas with a lot of beach goers. [This is] unlikely to change much into the foreseeable (decadal) future. But in a thousand years - who knows?"

The claims follow a series of unsettling shark videos circulating online, including one which saw a tope shark lurking around at Bournemouth beach in June. In the last 15 years, there have been more than 100 sightings of the creature reported near the British Isles.

One expert says the sharks don’t venture into areas with lots of beach goers ( Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto) 

But wildlife conservationist Richard Peirce, who led an investigation into the sightings, said only twelve were credible - with some cases concerning the same shark. The main species seen swimming in UK waters include basking sharks, blue sharks, shortfin mako sharks and Greenland sharks.

Greenland sharks are the second largest carnivorous shark after the great white, but are usually found in deeper waters. Experts at the University of Plymouth previously explained: "So why aren’t they [great white sharks] in our waters?...The truth is nobody really knows." 

"Some hypothesise they have not just yet discovered our shores. Whereas some say their migration is not worth the energy it would take. While others believe they are in fact here but remaining hidden, apart from the occasional speculative sighting."

James Smith