The English Channel, a busy waterway separating the United Kingdom from mainland Europe, is home to a diverse array of marine life, including various shark species. Over 20 different species of sharks inhabit or visit the waters around the British Isles, with a significant number present within the Channel itself. These sharks form an integral part of the Channel’s ecosystem. While their presence might surprise some, most species found here are not considered a threat to humans.
Shark Species Inhabiting the English Channel
Among the more frequently encountered sharks in the English Channel are the blue shark, porbeagle shark, and basking shark.
Blue sharks (Prionace glauca) are sleek, migratory predators that can reach lengths of up to 3.8 meters. They are typically found in offshore waters during the summer months, following the Gulf Stream, and primarily feed on small fish and squid.
Porbeagle sharks (Lamna nasus), close relatives of the great white shark, are robust and fast-swimming, growing to about 3.7 meters. These warm-bodied sharks are active predators, consuming a diet rich in pelagic fish like mackerel and herring, as well as cephalopods. They are present throughout UK waters, including the English Channel.
The basking shark (Cetorhinus maximus) is the second-largest fish globally and a regular seasonal visitor to the Channel. Reaching impressive lengths of up to 12 meters, these gentle giants are filter feeders, consuming microscopic zooplankton by swimming slowly with their mouths open near the surface. Despite their immense size, they pose no danger to humans.
Other species regularly found in the Channel include the tope shark (Galeorhinus galeus) and various smooth-hound sharks. Tope sharks are slender, migratory sharks that can grow over 1.9 meters and feed on smaller bony fish and invertebrates. Smooth-hound sharks, typically smaller at around 1.5 meters, are common in shallower coastal waters and primarily consume crustaceans. The angelshark (Squatina squatina), a flat, bottom-dwelling ambush predator, historically inhabited the Channel but is now critically endangered and rarely seen.
Understanding Shark Behavior and Human Encounters
Sharks in the English Channel generally exhibit behaviors that minimize interaction with humans, making encounters rare. Their movements are largely influenced by the availability of prey and water temperature. For instance, species like blue sharks migrate to British waters during warmer months to feed.
Reports of unprovoked shark incidents in the English Channel are exceedingly uncommon. One unprovoked incident was reported in the Channel in 1971. In British waters more broadly, a more recent unprovoked incident involving a blue shark occurred off the coast of Cornwall in 2022.
These rare incidents often stem from factors such as mistaken identity. Sharks possess varied visual acuity and might confuse swimmers with their natural prey, particularly in murky water. Most sharks are not aggressive towards humans and have no interest in attacking them.
Should a shark be sighted, remaining calm is important. Swimmers are advised to slowly back away from the animal without splashing or making sudden movements, while keeping the shark in sight. It is also recommended to avoid swimming in murky waters, at dawn or dusk when many sharks are more active, and to refrain from wearing shiny jewelry that could resemble fish scales. Adhering to these precautions helps ensure safety in marine environments, allowing humans and sharks to coexist.