A sandbar shark measuring 1.5 meters (5 feet) was found dead on Hadera Beach in Israel, prompting an immediate investigation by wildlife authorities. The discovery marks the second shark death in the region this month.
The shark, weighing approximately 60 kg (132 pounds), was discovered by a beachgoer who alerted the Israel Nature and Parks Authority. Marine unit inspectors Ilya Baskin and David Halfon responded to the scene and transported the carcass to the National Sea Turtle Rescue Center for examination.
Dr. Danny Morick, head of Marine Pathology at the Morris Kahn Marine Research Station, led the post-mortem examination alongside Dr. Yaniv Levy, director of the Sea Turtle Rescue Center. While initial findings revealed a fishing hook and broken line in the shark's mouth, investigators couldn't definitively link these to the cause of death.
"This is our second shark case in recent weeks," said Dr. Levy. "While we found evidence of fishing gear interaction, including a characteristic hook puncture near the mouth, we can't conclusively say this caused the death." The center is particularly concerned about the impact of fishing equipment on protected marine species.
The incident highlights ongoing concerns about fishing impacts on protected marine species in the Mediterranean. Local experts note that the Israeli coastline, particularly around Hadera, serves as a crucial habitat for sandbar sharks, especially during winter months.
Dr. Aviad Sheinin, who leads apex predator research at the Morris Kahn Station, explained that male sandbar sharks regularly return to these waters between December and January, though they don't stay continuously. "They move between the open sea and coastal waters until spring," he said. "We've tagged 40 sandbar sharks so far, among a total of 118 tagged sharks in our research program."
The discovery comes amid broader concerns about Mediterranean shark populations. Dr. Adi Barash, CEO of Sharks in Israel, points to a dramatic 90% decline in coastal shark numbers across the Mediterranean Sea. However, she notes that Israel's strict enforcement of shark fishing bans has helped maintain local populations, with sandbar sharks visible year-round, particularly near coastal power stations during winter.
Multiple tissue samples have been collected for laboratory analysis to determine if disease played a role in the shark's death. The investigation continues as part of ongoing research into local shark populations and their conservation efforts.
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