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Wales Online
Wales Online
National
Zhara Simpson & Rachel Hains

'Cool' shark spotted in British waters

Plymouth is widely known as Britain's Ocean City, and it isn't hard to see why. Blue waters, and beauty spots are just some of the sights on offer, in addition to a variety of marine life popping up.

Over the years, residents have seen a stunning array of creatures, from jellyfish, to eels, to various sharks. For instance, a year ago on April 19, Plymouth Live reported a porbeagle shark was spotted in Plymouth marina.

Now, however, a Plymouth resident has captured incredible photographs of what is believed to be another shark species in the Barbican waters. On Saturday 23 April, Sam Booth and her son James were walking along the Barbican when they saw the beautiful creature swimming along.

Plymouth Live contacted a shark expert, and Devon Wildlife, to clarify what was spotted, however residents think it is known as a 'starry smooth hound' - which is a shallow water shark species. Sam was amazed to see the shark and described it as being "cool".

Sam and her son took incredible photographs where you can see the creature up close. In the images you can see the long, narrow shark swimming along the water's surface on the Barbican with distinctive white speckles along it's back.

Sam Booth and her son James spotted a shark on Plymouth Barbican (Sam Booth)

PlymouthLive also contacted a local fisherman of 16 years, who said they believe this to be a smooth hound shark and that it is not common to see in Plymouth waters. They said: "They tend to stay up on the surface for a while before they go back under properly.

"I've fished the harbour for 16 years and I've not seen one caught in there before, so it's not common."

Other locals captured photos and videos of the beautiful creature swimming in Sutton Harbour and shared it on social media for people to see. People shared the post asking whether it had "escaped" from the National Marine Aquarium, while others were trying to identify what it was.

In July last year there was more footage of a porbeagle playing underneath a small a fishing boat. Although this is not the first time seeing a type of shark in the city's waters, it will never stop being an amazing sight.

For more stories from where you live, visit InYourArea.

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