Shark spotted on shore:panic on the beaches of Gran Canaria

The sighting along the coasts of Tilde

ROME – Three popular beaches on the island of Gran Canaria were closed last weekend due tosighting of a shark.An example of hammerhead shark he approached along the shore of Melenara, in Telde, last Saturday, and as a precaution, a bathing ban was also issued on the nearby Salinetas beach.It is not clear whether the specimen is the same one spotted the following day in San Agustín in San Bartolomé de Tirajana.

THE HAMMERSHAW

Authorities have identified the shark involved in the sightings in Gran Canaria as a specimen of hammerhead shark. This is a group of easily recognizable sharks due to the “T” shape of their head, which resembles the beating end of a hammer.

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Hammerhead sharks they are not a danger to humans.Fewer than 20 unprovoked attacks were recorded, none of them fatal. On the contrary, man is a threat to them. Due to overfishing and hunting for their fins, hammerhead sharks (as well as other shark species) are at risk of extinction.

THE 'DANGEROUS' SHARKS

Of the more than 500 shark species that swim in waters around the world, only 12 are considered potentially dangerous for the human being.Those responsible for most bites are the great white (Carcharodon carcharias), lo tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier), the leuca (Carcharhinus leucas) and the longiman (Carcharhinus longimanus).However, all sharks, large and small, are predators and may be capable of inflicting injuries if provoked.

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WHY DO SHARKS COME CLOSER TO THE SHORE?

As much as we are used to believing otherwise, in reality they are there are many species of shark capable of swimming in shallow waters, even one meter.However, over the last few decades, sightings on shore have increased all over the world.

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According to experts, the most probable hypothesis is food.Because of the climate change, which made the waters warmer, and of overfishing, which reduced the number of natural prey, sharks come ashore in search of a meal.