Rare Encounter of Sharks Off the Coast of New England for Mating.
Rare footage of the porbeagle shark, also known as the “ghost shark,” has been captured off the coasts of Rhode Island and Massachusetts.
This species of shark typically lives in deep, cold waters.
These apex predators challenge each other in a duel for territory and mates. As they usually inhabit deep, cold waters, they are rarely seen by humans.
Recently, a research team filmed the encounter between two elusive ocean creatures. They baited long lines and dropped them into dark waters. Hours later, a shark appeared and took the bait.
Then, two sharks emerged in the dark waters, circling around each other, followed by a group of three others swimming by.
Joe and Lauren Romeiro, a couple studying sharks, recorded the event and noted that spotting even one porbeagle shark is challenging, let alone a whole group. They have spent a significant amount of time observing sharks off the coast of New England, but encounters with porbeagle sharks have been few and far between.
Lauren Romeiro stated: “They appeared at the hunting site, possibly to compete for mates. Whatever the reason, they seem to understand each other very well. Observing them helps us gain better insights into the movements, behaviors, and social interactions of porbeagle sharks.”
The porbeagle shark is named for its dolphin-like shape and hunting abilities similar to those of a “hunting dog.” They are often mistaken for their close relatives, the Mako shark and the great white shark.
Porbeagle sharks are generally not harmful to humans, with no recorded fatalities due to porbeagle shark attacks.
Joe mentioned: “There are very few images or footage of porbeagle sharks swimming freely in the oceans. We have to go out at night and sit on research boats to document what happens beneath the water. We hoped to see just one, but we were fortunate to witness all five interacting with each other. This encounter not only adds to our knowledge about this rare shark species but also provides essential data to continue protecting them from threats.”
This species of shark has the ability to warm its body, allowing them to dominate the North Atlantic waters during winter when other species flee south to escape the cold.
Previously, Ray Breton, 53, was fishing alone on a 4.8-meter boat off the coast of the Isle of Wight when a porbeagle shark took the bait. Ray’s fishing rod bent before breaking in half.
