Rare 600kg Shark Dies After Twice Stranding on Jersey Beach

A large shark has died after being found washed up twice on Greve D’Azette beach, in an unusual and rare incident for Jersey’s coastline.

The shark was first discovered yesterday and reported by a local veterinary professional. Jersey Coastguard, the British Divers Marine Life Rescue, and Marine Resources attended the scene. Although the animal showed faint signs of life at the time, attempts to revive it were unsuccessful, and the incoming tide later carried it back out to sea.

It reappeared again today, when it was recovered and transported to the Government knackers yard in Trinity for examination.

Officials reported no clear evidence of what caused the shark’s death, with no indications of fishing activity or entanglement.

Experts believe it is the first recorded sighting of a Smalltooth sand tiger shark in Jersey waters since records began, although the species has been recorded washing up on other parts of the UK coastline.

The shark measured around 4.3 metres in length and weighed close to 600 kilograms.