An increasingly rare species of shark has been spotted in Galway Bay.
Native to the waters around Ireland and once a common sight, the so-called angle shark is now an endangered species.
Incredibly rare angel shark in Galway this morning. Confirmed by The Marine Institute. @rtenews @InlandFisherIE pic.twitter.com/CiNfInM1Pk
— Colin O'Loan (@irishcharcoal) May 28, 2023
However, kayaker Colin O'Loan captured footage of the fish swimming in in-shore coastal waters off Renville in Co Galway.
Known by the scientific name Squatina squatina, and variously called the fiddle-fish, banjofish and devilfish, the angel shark resembles a skate and can grow up 2.5m long.
Their hunting grounds are typically the sandy seabed of shallow bays rather than deeper waters of the ocean.
Mr O'Loan captured footage of the creature while taking a group of children kayaking at the weekend.
The Marine Institute has since confirmed that the video shows an angel shark.
"What a treat for the 10 kids I had out on a kayak course," Mr O'Loan tweeted alongside the footage.
"Thought it was a type of ray at first so I named him Jackie Healy. It was only when I got home and did a bit of research that I found out what we were dealing with. Class day."
The angel shark once lived in abundance on sandy and muddy seabed areas around the Irish coastline but is now a rare sight.
