Two dead sharks found in Mallorca
The Palma Aquarium Foundation warns of the discovery of two female specimens between Illetes and Cala Nova with severe injuries caused by sharp objects
PalmThe Palma Aquarium Foundation has reported the discovery of two specimens of elephant shark (Hexanchus griseus) dead at sea between Illetes and Cala Nova, in Mallorca, with severe injuries compatible with possible interaction with fishing activity.
The alert was received this Tuesday around 11:30 AM, when a private individual called 112 after detecting an animal floating in the sea. During the rescue team's deployment, the Civil Guard reported that they had already located the specimen and offered to tow it to the area. With the collaboration of the port of Cala Nova, the foundation's technicians finally confirmed that it was not a single animal, but two.
According to Palma Aquarium, they were two adult females and were in good corporal condition, but with very severe injuries in the dorsal area that had severed the spinal cord and caused the death of the animals. The specimens were still in a fresh state of conservation.
The foundation points out that the injuries, caused by sharp objects and intentionally inflicted, indicate human interaction compatible with fishing activity. This type of situation, they explain, is not uncommon in the Mediterranean, as elephant sharks can become accidentally entangled in longlines or other fishing gear due to their large size and strength.
This is a species of large dimension shark with deep-sea habits, considered one of the most primitive still in existence. Although it usually lives hundreds of meters deep, at certain times it can approach shallower waters, which increases the risk of interaction with human activities.
The two specimens have been transferred to the Palma Aquarium facilities, where scientific tests and studies will be carried out to expand knowledge about the shark populations of the Balearic Sea and the threats they face.
The foundation wanted to emphasize that "the vast majority of fishermen carry out their activity responsibly", but insisted on the need to strengthen collaboration between fishermen, scientists, administrations, and entities to reconcile fishing with the conservation of marine species.
