A THRESHER shark was found washed up at a North Cornwall beach on Sunday, and the county’s wildlife trust is asking people to report any strandings they come across.

Pam Madge fron Launceston came across the thresher shark that had washed up at Blackrock, Widemouth, on Sunday, December 11, late in the morning, but after she posted details to social media, someone suggested the shark had been washed up a number of days prior.

Pam said she came across the shark when walking her dog from Widemouth down to Wanson and Millook, adding: “We went over a rock and it was there washed up.

“This poor little thing, I thought it had been recently washed up. I put it on [social media]. A lady replied that it was there last week and already reported to the Cornwall Wildlife Trust.

It’s not something you see on a regular occurrence. It was a bit of a shock. It’s just a shame really but these things happen unfortunately.”

Pam said she had not come across anything like that before on her coastal walks, but said they did see the large whale carcass that washed up on Wanson beach last year.

Details of Pam’s findings were sent to the Cornwall Widlife Trust, and a spokesperson for the trust told the Post: “The Marine Strandings Network has confirmed this is indeed a Thresher Shark Alopias vulpinus.

This remarkable shark uses its highly specialised long, whip-like tail to stun fish. Unfortunately, this fantastic asset can also become a problem as it is easy for the shark’s tail to get entangled in fishing nets.

“Although they are mainly associated with the Pacific and Indian oceans, they are also found in the Atlantic and they can occur in British waters. Not so long ago some anglers caught a record-breaker off the coast of Cornwall, before returning it alive to the sea.”

The Marine Strandings Network is interested in hearing about any marine animals, from marine birds to dolphins and whales, that wash up on our beaches so that it can be logged and possibly send out a volunteer if needed to photograph and record. Anyone who discovers such a corpse should call the Marine Strandings Network Hotline on 0345 201 2626.

For live strandings, people should contact British Divers Marine Life Rescue on the 24-hour number 01825 765546.

Those who are interested in recording wildlife in general can now record sightings on the wildlife trust’s website, Online wildlife Recording for Kernow & Scilly (ORKS): www.ORKS.org.uk.

Here you will be able to pinpoint the position of your sighting on the map and add any other details you think might be relevant. You can submit records without logging in, but if you register a username account you will also be able to access many other facilities on the site. You can also upload photos to aid the verification process.