12 August 2023 , 23:17
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A giant six-foot shark was spotted lurking around the Cornish coast earlier this week, leaving locals stunned.
The blue shark was spotted around Penzance on Wednesday (August 9), despite usually being seen further out to sea. William Harvey, of Newlyn-based W Harvey & Sons, was watching the boats coming back into Newlyn Harbour on Thursday lunchtime when he caught sight of it.
The local said it isn't the first bit of wildlife he's seen in the area, but it was certainly one of the most exciting.
The blue shark was filmed inside Newlyn Harbour (Cornwall Live)He told CornwallLive: "I spotted the 6ft blue shark swimming underneath the harbour wall. Of all the wildlife I've seen in the harbour, including dolphins, seals and even a deer swimming one early morning it was definitely the biggest surprise."
Blue sharks are usually seen in the UK between June and October. They're more commonly spotted on the south coast, but are usually only seen at least 10 miles out to sea. It's believed that climate change is forcing sharks away from their natural feeding sites due to rising sea temperatures.
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Blue sharks usually feed on small fish and squid (Cornwall Live)Geo scientist Rosie Moore told the Daily Star: “Experts have noted that elevated ocean temperatures are prompting shark species to migrate from the warmer, less densely populated southern hemisphere to the cooler, more populated northern regions.
“Predator-prey dynamics may also drive sharks closer to shore or into new territories, potentially leading to increased interactions with humans, such as instances where sharks follow schools of baitfish in coastal waters."
Blue sharks usually eat small fish and squid, although they've been known to feed on seabirds and even other smaller sharks. They've been recorded at depths of up to 350m, feeding on fish that live much closer to the seabed.