Researchers capture three rare smooth-hound sharks in Belgian North Sea

Researchers have captured three young smooth-hound sharks in the Belgian North Sea for the first time since 1985, marking a rare sighting for a globally endangered species. 14 oktober 2026 om 17:04

Three Young Sharks Found 23 Kilometers Off the Coast

The smooth-hound shark, which can reach lengths of up to 1.9 meters, poses no danger to humans. However, the European population has dropped by approximately 76 percent over the past eighty years, placing the species under severe pressure.

Two of the three captured sharks were fitted with acoustic transmitters before being released back into the water. These tags transmit signals that will allow scientists to track the movements, preferred depths, and migration routes of the animals over the coming years through an international network of monitoring stations.

Researchers Probe for a Local Nursery Area

The capture holds particular scientific value because the retrieved sharks measured just two to three years of age. Juvenile sharks typically remain close to their birthplace, pointing toward the strong possibility of a local nursery or rearing area hidden somewhere within the Belgian North Sea.

Jan Reubens, a fish researcher at VLIZ, noted that while the observation is remarkable, it remains too early to declare a broader population recovery based solely on three specimens. Researchers must continue monitoring habitat use before determining whether current environmental protections are driving a genuine comeback for the species.

Strict Rules Mandate the Release of Caught Sharks

Commercial and recreational fishers who accidentally haul in a smooth-hound shark face a strict legal obligation. Authorities require any captured animal to be returned alive to the sea as quickly as possible. Because various shark and ray species share nearly identical physical traits, researchers advise fishers to consult available identification guides and to release unfamiliar specimens immediately.

Reporting accidental catches remains vital for ongoing marine tracking efforts.

Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Sighted Near Offshore Wind Turbines

While sightings in other North Sea jurisdictions have grown more common in recent years, this instance marks the first observation in Belgian waters since the 1960s, according to researchers. Because the sighting lacks photographic or video confirmation, marine biologists continue to treat it as an unverified visual record.

Monitoring the Long-Term Recovery of Regional Ecosystems

Marine specialists emphasize that isolated encounters with juvenile sharks and migratory tuna do not yet confirm a stable, long-term ecological revival.