A strange-looking deep-sea creature resembling a ‘dragon’ shark caused astonishment among spectators when it washed ashore on a popular tourist beach. The pregnant Portuguese shark, usually inhabiting depths of 3,500m underwater, weighed 40lbs (18kg) and measured an impressive 4ft 8in (1.45m) in length. The discovery occurred at Luarca Beach, situated west of Gijón in northwestern Spain over the weekend.
Known as a Portuguese dogfish, this shark species was historically hunted for its meat and oil production but is now perilously close to extinction due to overfishing. Feeding primarily on fish, molluscs, and sea mammals, the species has even been documented attacking giant squid. However, stringent regulations now prohibit their capture as the population dwindles from overexploitation and low reproductive rates.
Designated as ‘Near Threatened’ by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the species’ declining numbers are a cause for concern. Luis Laria, the president of the Centre for Studies and Protection of Marine Species, conducted an autopsy on the shark to uncover the reason for its death and its unexpected appearance on the beach.
Luis commented on the remarkable resilience of the Centroscymnus coelolepises, noting its ability to endure extreme pressures at great depths. Despite the autopsy conducted on Sunday, the exact cause of death remained elusive. Speculations suggest that the shark may have been inadvertently hooked by a fishing crew, leading to fatal injuries as it struggled to escape.
Upon detailed examination, the autopsy revealed no definitive cause of death, except for some blood presence in the digestive tract. Surprisingly, the shark was found to be carrying 12 large developing eggs and nine smaller undeveloped eggs. An irregular tear in the esophagus wall hinted at a traumatic capture scenario where the animal managed to break free from a fishing line, causing fatal internal damage.
Local witnesses compared the creature to characters from the How to Train Your Dragon franchise, noting its uncanny resemblance to Toothless and Shadow. The intriguing discovery has sparked curiosity and discussions among the community, prompting reflections on the mysteries of the deep sea.