Mysterious shark discovered on the Costa Brava – what’s behind it?

Mysterious shark discovered on the Costa Brava – what’s behind it?

A strange find recently caused a stir on the Costa Brava in Spain. On June 11, 2025, the German vacationer couple Frederik Sturm and Lara Gutschwager from Bamberg discovered a dead shark near the shore, very close to the Punta Falconera cape in the popular vacation resort of Roses. The three-meter-long, heavy-looking fish had some worrying features: It was well-preserved, but had a rope around its gills and had what appeared to be a cut-off caudal fin. The explorers expressed suspicions about possible poaching or an unnatural cause of death.

How Mercury Reportedly, finding sharks in this region is not very common; Most of them are injured or sick blue sharks. Agustí Torres, chairman of the Shark Med association, identified the caught fish as a snubnose sixgill shark, also known as a gray shark. This usually lives in deeper waters and is not under legal protection in Spain.

An alarming situation

The circumstances of the discovery are alarming. According to Torres, if unwanted bycatch occurs, sharks can be caught in trawl nets and killed. Although gray sharks do not pose a threat to humans, such occurrences are a cause for concern. The experts recommend that you immediately contact the emergency number 112 if you find marine animals. The German couple informed the Spanish Civil Guard, but they had difficulties communicating. They also waited in vain for the police, who didn't show up the following day either, so the shark was still in the bay.

The issue of shark fishing is not only a hot topic in Spain, but a serious problem globally. How Pro Wildlife reports, shark fishing has reached dramatic proportions in the last 50 years. Around 100 million sharks are killed every year, which has led to a decline in populations by an incredible 71 percent. Particularly worrying is the situation of the blue shark, which was once a common presence in the waters and is now in sharp decline.

Protective measures are necessary

The illegal trade in shark fins is another reason for the alarmingly low population levels. Shark fins are one of the most valuable sea creatures in international trade, especially in Asia, where they are used in a delicate soup. This leads to a cruel practice known as “finning,” where sharks’ fins are cut off while they are still alive.

To counteract this, Pro Wildlife is calling, among other things, for a complete ban on the trade in shark fins within the EU as well as international catch limits for endangered shark and ray species. Progress in shark protection is encouraging, as demonstrated by trade restrictions on basking sharks, whale sharks and other species. However, there is still a lot to be done to sustainably protect stocks and ensure balance in the marine ecosystem.

It remains to be seen whether the shocking encounter with the gray shark on the Costa Brava will trigger a rethink among holidaymakers and authorities. However, it is clear that protecting our oceans and their inhabitants is a top priority.