Divers rescue sharks trapped in crab pot

A wildlife charity has said its encouraging people to report lost fishing gear they come across while at sea after divers came across two bull huss sharks stuck inside a lost crab pot.

Cornwall Wildlife Trust marine conservation officer Matt Slater came across the pot and trapped fish while on a dive with a friend, the Cornwall Wildlife Trust said.

They were diving as part of a Cornwall Council-funded project monitoring maerl beds off St Mawes, Cornwall.

Slater said: "It's amazing that two sharks would fit in there. It takes sharks a long time to die but they would have starved to death eventually. They could have been trapped in there for weeks."

The species, also known as the nursehound or greater-spotted catshark, can grow up to to 160 cm (5ft) long.

He added no-one wanted to see wildlife trapped and fishers did not want to lose equipment.

He said: "This is an issue we can only solve by working together. Better reporting, recovery and prevention of lost gear can help protect marine wildlife while supporting sustainable fishing businesses.

"The vast majority of gear loss is accidental, often occurring during bad weather or challenging sea conditions.

"That's why it's important that fishers, conservation organisations and coastal communities work together on practical solutions."

Cornwall Wildlife Trust said the rescue highlighted the "wider issue" facing the fishing industry: abandoned and lost fishing gear, often known as ghost gear.

It said it was calling on government to invest in measures that help prevent gear loss, improve reporting and support recovery efforts, alongside wider action to protect Cornwall's marine environment, while supporting sustainable fishing.

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