Divers free two sharks from lost crab pot in Cornwall

During a routine dive off St Mawes in Cornwall, England, Matt Slater, a marine conservation officer for the Cornwall Wildlife Trust, and a companion discovered a lost crab pot containing two bull huss sharks. The pot, part of the widespread problem of abandoned fishing gear known as ghost gear, had evidently been lost accidentally, likely during adverse weather or challenging sea conditions. The sharks, which can grow up to 160 centimeters (about 5 feet) long, were trapped and would have eventually starved to death if not rescued. Slater noted that it was remarkable that two sharks could fit inside the pot and that they might have been confined for weeks. The rescue was part of a Cornwall Council-funded project monitoring maerl beds, which are important marine habitats. The incident underscores the broader issue of ghost gear, which poses a significant threat to marine wildlife. Cornwall Wildlife Trust is advocating for better reporting, recovery, and prevention of lost gear, and is calling on the government to invest in measures that support these efforts while also protecting the marine environment and sustaining fishing businesses. The trust emphasizes that most gear loss is accidental and that collaboration among fishers, conservation groups, and coastal communities is essential to finding practical solutions. The rescue highlights the need for increased awareness and action to mitigate the impacts of ghost gear on marine life.