A rare group of sharks has been spotted swimming in the sea off a popular tourist beach. The school sharks (Galeorhinus galeus) were seen in the water where tourists paddle in the sea every day.
Experts said it is very uncommon for school sharks to be found in the area, especially in the month of December. The baby sharks were discovered just a few metres from the Hotel El Médano in the resort town of the same name in Tenerife, Spain. El Médano is popular with British and German tourists, especially those dedicated to watersports such as wind and kite surfing.
The base of the imposing hotel, which extends into the sea and is supported by several pillars, has become home to the baby sharks. At least six juvenile school sharks, all about 30cm in length, have been observed swimming in the area, just feet from tourists.
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Marine biologist Jacobo Marrero reassured locals that the presence of the young sharks does not pose a risk to beachgoers. He also pointed out that it is common to see baby sharks near other beaches on the island such as Las Gaviotas and Playa de Benijo, but it’s rare for El Médano.
He said: “The first thing to clarify is that this is not a safety issue. If left alone, these babies are harmless. Furthermore, they hardly have any teeth. If they are in that area, it’s because it’s a place where they feel safe, where they are protected from predators and fishermen, and have enough food.”
Marrero also said that tourists don’t have to worry about the mother shark returning to the area as they leave their young to fend for themselves after giving birth. The biologist explained: “The behaviour of the adult female of this species is to approach the coast, give birth, and then completely ignore the offspring.
“In any case, it is a source of pride to have these juveniles living near the beach and we should do everything possible to not disturb them.” He added: “We must learn to share the environment with natural species.”
The International Union for Conservation of Nature has classified this species as critically endangered in its Red List of Threatened Species. They are considered harmless to humans due to their small size and preference for smaller prey.
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