Fishermen Catch 20 Sharks Off The British Coastline In One Day

When we think of the seas that surround Britain, we normally picture clumps of seaweed, an upsetting amount of plastic pollution and maybe the odd seal.

But sharks? Nah, mate. Sharks are for the Aussies.

Except, it turns out they're not, as this group of fishermen found out.

SWNS

They were fishing off the coast of North Devon and somehow managed to reel in 20 sharks in one 24-hour window. That's nearly a shark an hour.

All of the beasts were returned to the sea, obviously, but only after they'd been forced to take awkward photos with their captors.

The group of six people, including one skipper, managed to catch a massive haul of blue and porbeagle sharks by using mackerel as bait.

SWNS

The largest shark of the bunch weighed 90lbs - that's about 41 kilograms - and was caught by 29-year-old Tom Clayton.

Tom said: "Every time I threw my rod into the water it was pure excitement not knowing what type of shark I was fighting and reeling in.

"Once hooked the sharks were out of the water for about 2-3 minutes but from the second they were brought out of the water they had buckets of water poured over them as their health and well-being was our main priority.

WATCH: GREAT WHITE SHARK TAKES BAIT AND CARRIES OFF CAMERA

"It was a bit surreal to be holding them. They were smooth and slimey one way but if you rubbed your hand the other way it felt like sand paper.

"It felt like a massive achievement to have it in my hands but at the same time you have to remember what they're capable of."

Yeah, not sure we'd be giving one of these a cuddle in the same situation.

Pal Toby Basset, 27, told the North Devon Angling News: "It was an absolutely brilliant day.

SWNS

"A group of us took advantage of the settled weather and drove off the North Devon coast around 6am.

"I was first up and within an hour the first fish was hooked! A cracking beagle of 80lb but sadly it shook the hook.

"It was incredible to catch so many in one single trip. We even managed to catch a little beagle as we brought the lines in to go home."

SWNS

The group included five anglers and a skipper, on board Reel Deal fishing boat operated by Dan Hawkins.

Bet you'll think twice before getting back in the water now.

Topics: Sharks, UK News, Interesting, Animals

Daisy Jackson

Daisy Jackson is a freelance writer, who has previously worked at Shortlist Media and Trinity Mirror. She has written about the Manchester terror attacks and appeared on BBC Five live to discuss the aftermath, as well as interviewing an orthopaedic surgeon in Syria.