Simon Wade
BATHERS and swimmers enjoying the weekend sun at Guardamar del Segura were shocked to find a dead shark washed ashore.
The animal was revealed to be a harmless Blue Shark (Prionace glauca) that is extremely rare, especially for local waters off the Costa Blanca.
Local environment group Cronicas Naturales de Torrevieja reported the incident on its social media page on Saturday.
The Blue Shark (Prionace glauca) is a species of requiem shark which inhabits deep waters in the world’s temperate and tropical oceans.
Averaging around 3.1 m (10 ft) and preferring cooler waters, the blue shark migrates long distances, such as from New England to South America. It is listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN.
Although generally lethargic, they can move very quickly.
Blue sharks are viviparous (birthing live young which have developed inside the body of the parent) and are noted for large litters of 25 to over 100.
They feed primarily on small fish and squid, although they can take larger prey.
Maximum lifespan is still unknown, but it is believed that they can live up to 20 years.
