THE mystery of the killer off our coast deepened today as proof emerged that Mako sharks have been netted in the North Sea.
There has been fierce debate on whether or not a Mako has been responsible for a spate of 45 porpoise deaths up and down the North East shoreline – experts say the cold North Sea is not the killer shark's natural territory and reckon a porbeagle shar
k is the more likely suspect.
But there is now proof Mako sharks can live in our waters – this one was recently caught by trawlermen fishing near Blyth after chasing a porpoise into the nets.
The theory that a shark is responsible for the deaths of marine life was revealed to the Echo earlier this week by marine experts.
Dozens of mammal corpses have been washed onto beaches from Tynemouth to Teesmouth, many with chunks missing from them, and a shark is the prime suspect.
While many experts are convinced a Mako shark is lurking in the depths, others felt it would be too far out of its natural territory – they're usually found in warmer waters, such as the Atlantic and Pacific.
However garage owner Doug Sharp, 48, believes he has uncovered vital new evidence.
Last August he snapped this huge shark that was caught in fishing nets off Blyth, Northumberland.
He believes the 10ft monster is a mako, a theory backed up by fishermen who say it was chasing a porpoise.
Mr Sharp said: "There was a boat fishing for salmon off Blyth when a porpoise was chased into its nets by a big shark.
"Both died in the nets, the porpoise had a big lump taken out of it by the shark.
"It still had the flesh in its mouth when they brought it to the harbour where I took my picture.
"When I heard people saying there couldn't be a shark off the North East coast I knew differently.
"I have shown my pictures to many people and most agree it is a short-finned mako.
"The fact that it was chasing the porpoise seems to back that up.
"I don't know how dangerous they are to people but looking at this thing I wouldn't like to meet one in the sea."
Makos are mackerel sharks that are capable of swimming at up to 60 mph and can also leap out of the water.
They eat schooling fish, including tuna, herring, mackerel, swordfish and porpoise but are considered dangerous – and there are documented attacks on people.
Short-finned Makos average five to eight feet (1.5 to 2.5m) long but can reach 12 feet (3.7 m) long, about weighing 1,000 pounds (450 kg).
