The English Channel, a busy waterway separating England and France, is home to various shark species. Their presence is a natural component of the marine ecosystem, contributing to the Channel’s rich biodiversity. While this might surprise some, their existence here is well-documented.
Shark Species Inhabiting the English Channel
The English Channel hosts a diversity of shark species, including regular inhabitants and transient visitors. The basking shark, the second-largest fish globally, is commonly encountered, reaching lengths of up to 26 feet. These filter feeders consume microscopic zooplankton by swimming with their mouths open. Basking sharks are often observed slowly cruising near the surface, particularly during summer when zooplankton is abundant, and are frequently spotted around Cornwall and the western English Channel.
Another notable resident is the porbeagle shark, a powerful and fast predator related to the great white shark. Porbeagles typically grow to about 8.2 feet in length. Their diet primarily consists of small schooling fish like mackerel, herring, and squid. Porbeagles can maintain a body temperature higher than the surrounding water, allowing them to thrive in cooler temperate waters.
Other species frequenting the English Channel include the blue shark and the thresher shark. Blue sharks are highly migratory, torpedo-shaped predators. Thresher sharks are recognized by their exceptionally long, whip-like tails, which they use to stun prey. Less common species like the shortfin mako shark, one of the fastest sharks, and the oceanic whitetip shark, typically found in warmer waters, have been occasionally recorded. Smaller species such as the bull huss and smooth-hound sharks are also common in the Channel’s shallower, colder waters.
Understanding Shark Presence and Movement
Shark presence in the English Channel is influenced by water temperature, prey availability, and seasonal migration patterns. Many shark species are transient, moving through the Channel as part of broader migratory routes, or preferring deeper, offshore waters. Porbeagle sharks, for example, undertake long-distance seasonal movements and are found in waters ranging from 1 to 18°C. The Channel’s water temperature varies seasonally, and these fluctuations, along with abundant schooling fish, attract various shark species.
Basking sharks migrate towards coastal areas during summer, “basking” at the surface while feeding on dense zooplankton patches. Their movements are closely tied to the availability of this food source. The rarity of sharks near popular coastal swimming areas, compared to their presence in the wider Channel, is often attributed to their preference for deeper or more open waters where prey is more abundant. Most shark sightings involve non-aggressive species, many simply passing through or inhabiting specific ecological niches away from human activity.
Human Encounters and Safety
The risk of shark encounters for humans in the English Channel remains extremely low. Unprovoked shark attacks in these waters are rare. Historical data indicates that fatal shark attacks in the English Channel have never been recorded. The last unprovoked incident occurred in 1971. Many reported “shark incidents” often involve fishermen injured by sharks already caught or provoked during handling, rather than unprovoked attacks on swimmers.
Species most commonly found in the English Channel, such as the filter-feeding basking shark, pose no threat to humans. While species like the porbeagle shark could cause harm due to their size, interactions with humans are infrequent, and they are not typically considered dangerous. For those using the Channel, respecting marine life and maintaining a reasonable distance from wild animals are general safety practices. Swimmers are more likely to encounter other marine creatures, such as jellyfish, which pose a greater, though still minor, risk.