Large Porbeagle Shark - New England’s "Year-Round Bruiser" - Found in Watch Hill

Large Porbeagle Shark - New England’s "Year-Round Bruiser" - Found in Watch Hill

A large porbeagle shark was found in Rhode Island on Wednesday, announced the Atlantic Shark Institute (ASI) -- and with the help of bystanders, it was quickly transported to a research lab. 

ASI shared the following: 

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"We had a rare opportunity to retrieve a large porbeagle shark from Watch Hill/East Beach on the RI coast...she appeared when the tide went out, was 8 feet 8 inches long, and weighed several hundred pounds. 

These large sharks really like the colder water so when everyone else has headed south for the winter, they are still here enjoying these waters with much less pressure from competing shark species. 

With the help of several people on the beach, we were able to get this shark to the ASI truck and it is now in the NOAA/Apex predator cooler in Narragansett and ready for a necropsy."

“The porbeagle is much less known than their close relatives the white shark and the mako, but it’s a gorgeous and formidable shark that is truly New England’s year-round bruiser,” said Jon Dodd, ASI Executive Director. 

“Based on the time of year, and her age, she certainly could have been pregnant and that would provide a really unique opportunity to advance the science,” he added.  

 

Shark Retrieval in Focus

ASI said that the first step came from Corey Favino of Narragansett, who after spotting the shark while on the beach, reached out to the Mystic Aquarium who then contacted ASI. 

According to ASI, Dodd and his team have retrieved countless sharks in New England waters and "sprang into action with what they needed," and an hour later they were standing over the large shark. 

“The tide often reclaims these sharks so time is always of the essence. We bring tools to take samples in the event that we can’t move the shark but the goal was to get her to the NOAA/Apex Predator Lab in Narragansett," said Dodd.  

Dodd said there were no outward signs of trauma, which sometimes are visible when sharks are found along the shore, and in this case, the shark looked fine to the naked eye but "that only tells half the story."

When they located the shark, Dodd said that Peter Lundstedt from Connecticut happened to be driving down the beach with his jeep -- Dodd waved him down, Lundstedt agreed to help, and a "plan was hatched."

Dodd continued:

A few minutes later with the help of several beachgoers, the shark was wrapped in a tarp, tied down and being dragged up the beach...the shark was more than 500 yards from the nearest path and wasn’t going anywhere until Peter showed up.

As luck would have it, Peter also had a  come-along and that, with a plywood ramp, and with significant help from Robert Hollis and Joan Dodd, the shark was safely stowed away and on its way to Narragansett and hour after they arrived. Shortly thereafter it was safely in the walk-in freezer and a necropsy has been scheduled.  

“It really is the perfect example of how everyone can help with this research,” said Dodd. “The shark had already expired and that wasn’t going to change. But now she will aid significantly to science and that doesn't happen without the help of so many people."

To learn more about the Atlantic Shark Institute and their efforts you can visit them at  www.atlanticsharkinstitute.org or follow them on Facebook and Instagram.