A SHARK has been spotted in Havre des Pas’ sea-water pool this week…
But Islanders need not fear a feeding frenzy – à la Jaws – as the diminutive creature is believed to have been a small-spotted catshark or a smooth-hound.
The animal was seen scooting along the floor of the popular bathing pool.
Diver Kevin McIlwee, chair of Jersey Marine Conservation, said: ‘The gates were open in the lido this week to flush it out, so all sorts of creatures had the opportunity to explore the area as the tide rose.’
A common species in our waters, the catshark is a bottom dweller which grows to about one metre.
‘They are no threat to humans, but have been targeted by a few local inshore fishermen, who consider them a nuisance,’ Mr McIlwee said.
‘The species lies very still on the seabed and doesn’t react unless you get too close. Our resident catsharks have a strong sense of smell, so will be looking for crustaceans.’
The catshark is closely related to the much rarer nursehound (Scyliorhinus stellaris), also known as the large-spotted dogfish, which has bigger spots and can grow up to 1.6 metres. Mr McIlwee added: ‘The nursehound seems to be more frequent these days in the seagrass meadows, and it can be difficult to tell them apart [from catsharks] other than by size.’
