Shark hauled in from deep water in Port d'Andratx

A SLEEPER shark about five metres long was found dead in waters off the Port d’Andratx.

Everything indicates that the specimen was caught in some fishing nets. The discovery occurred when a man was working on one of the boats in the port. The shark was dragged in to an area where a crane could remove it from the sea.

As soon as the shark was lifted a part of the tail fell off which suggests that it had been dead for a few days and was in a state of decomposition.

The Guardia Civil, Local Police and environmental technicians were informed of the discovery and deployed to the Port d’Andratx.

Experts believe that the current had dragged it to the area.  It is believed the shark died after being caught in fishing nets.

Two years ago, another specimen of this species was found dead in the waters of sa Dragonera. Despite their large size (they can grow to more than seven metres), they are harmless to bathers and are relatively common around the Mallorcan coasts especially in deep water. 

Port de Pollença and Formentor for example have recorded the presence of sleeper sharks in their waters.