A strange-looking deep-sea ‘dragon’ shark has amazed onlookers by appearing on a tourist beach. The body of the pregnant Portuguese shark, typically found 3,500m below the sea surface, weighed 40lbs (18kg) and measured an impressive 4ft 8in (1.45m) in length. It washed up on Luarca Beach, situated west of Gijón, in north-western Spain, last Saturday.
This shark species, also known as a Portuguese dogfish, was once frequently caught in the region for its meat and oil but is now nearing endangerment. Feeding primarily on fish, molluscs, and sea mammals, the species has also been reported to attack giant squid. However, due to overfishing and low reproductive rates, the species has dwindled in numbers, leading to a ban on their capture. They are currently classified as ‘Near Threatened’ by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Luis Laria, the president of the Centre for Studies and Protection of Marine Species, conducted an autopsy on the shark to ascertain the cause of its death and why it ended up on the beach. He described the incredible capabilities of the centroscymnus coelolepises shark to withstand immense pressures and thrive at depths of up to 3,500m.
Following the autopsy, it was inconclusive what led to the shark’s death. It is suspected that the shark was hooked by a fishing crew, managed to escape, but fatally injured itself in the process.
The detailed examination revealed no definitive cause of death. However, findings included the presence of blood in the mouth, oesophagus, and stomach, along with the discovery of gestation with developing embryos in large eggs. The liver, weighing 5kg, constituted a significant portion of the shark’s weight. An irregular tear in the oesophagus wall further indicated the possible cause of death as accidental capture, where the embedded hook caused irreversible damage.
Local observers likened the creature to characters from the How to Train Your Dragon franchise, drawing comparisons to Toothless and Shadow. The unusual appearance of the shark’s eyes sparked comments relating to characters from the movie series.