Off the shores of the TRNC, a huge shark was caught and killed

Off the shores of Northern Cyprus, fishermen caught a shark in their nets. Ecologists claim that the deceased fish belongs to a very rare species and posed no threat to humans.

The statement regarding the discovery and killing of the shark was made by employees of the Tashkent Natural Park. The message states that the fish, caught and killed early Sunday morning in Edidalge, belonged to the rare species of sand shark (Odontaspis ferox). It is harmless to humans.

According to animal protection activists, the report of the shark being caught in fishermen's nets was received the day before in the afternoon through the wildlife support hotline 1190.

"We believe that this rare species, lifeless and caught from the sea, fell victim to bycatch. The story of this poor creature once again reminds us that bycatch is one of the serious problems of wildlife in our country," the statement says.

Activists claim that sand sharks are not species that pose a threat to humans.

"Moreover, the fact that in our country, not a single shark attack has been recorded in over a hundred years, once again proves that these species are harmless. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said about humans. Unfortunately, the nets surrounding our seas lead to the death of such rare and vulnerable species," says the statement from the Tashkent Natural Park.

It is noted that in the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the population status of sand sharks is classified as "Vulnerable (VU)", and the status of this species in the Mediterranean is characterized as "Critically Endangered (CR)".

It should be added that according to international research, at least 20 species of sharks and rays in the Mediterranean Sea, including the great white shark, blue shark, porbeagle, shortfin mako, angel shark, and the endemic Maltese skate, are threatened with extinction.