It is a white shark, photographed last week near the Isle of Wight
He is about to end up run over, his mother saves himIt is the first "white" shark in the world to be seen off the British coast. White in fact, more than in name. It is in fact a white specimen, photographed last week near the Isle of Wight.
A 50-year-old man, Jason Gillespie, was deep-sea fishing with some friends on Tuesday, September 29, when he found himself in front of a white-bodied shark, about three feet long. He was literally speechless. The unusual coloring of the shark is probably the result of leucism, a genetic peculiarity due to a gene that gives a white color to the fur or plumage of animals that normally have a different colored coat. It is different from albinism in that the eyes retain normal pigmentation. In fact, the scientists who have been able to examine the images are unsure whether it is leucism or albinism.
However, these conditions are considered "very rare" in adult sharks as they make juveniles highly visible to potential predators. Experts from the University of Portsmouth Institute of Marine Sciences have confirmed to The News that it is likely an albino shark. Dr Sarah Marley, senior lecturer in marine biology, said:
“It certainly looks like an albino Tope shark. The pure white body and pink-tinged ends suggest albinism, which is the absence of any pigmentation or coloring. Pink is the result of seeing the blood vessels under the skin. "
How cool is that? Albino tope caught by Jason Gillespie off the South Coast of England
Posted by Offshore Angler on Wednesday, September 30, 2020
Unfortunately, the man could not resist the temptation to pull the very rare shark into a boat to take some photos. Then luckily he put it back in the water and freed it:
“We released it as fast as possible, it only stayed on the boat for less than a minute. Saw it off the Isle of Wight - what are the possibilities? I have no idea… it's one in a million. I've certainly never seen one, it's been on Facebook since Tuesday and no one else has come forward and said they've photographed one of this size, ”Gillespie said.
This shark feeds on a variety of species of fish, crustaceans or cephalopods and can travel enormous distances. It is a protected species that lives in the United Kingdom, but often goes as far as the Canary Islands.
One more reason not to touch it for the sole purpose of taking a picture ...
Sources of reference: The News
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