Jaws Revisited: Is there a Great White Shark in Cornwall?
Have you heard the sensational news of a sighting of a Great White Shark off the coast of Cornwall, England? There have been intermittent reports of sightings of the Great White in the area for some time now, and many experts agree it is possible. The Great White is the shark featured years ago in the movie Jaws, and in the book Moby Dick, and is the most dangerous shark of all. This story might be far more credible if the Discovery Channel wasn’t running its Shark Week TV special for the next several days, and it’s even more suspicious that the segment on the Great Whites begins tonight, complete with advice how to avoid attack. Nevertheless, the British have a unique ability to come up with water creature stories such as the Loch Ness Monster guaranteed to get people talking about taking a trip to England. It's also a perfect summer news story featuring vacation perils, complete with blurry video from The Sun.
Cornwall depends on vacationers for 25% of its income, and its no surprise that experts in the local press have surmised that the sighting was really a Basking Shark, which are often seen in the area. The local BBC Cornwall news, available in streaming mode, is also downplaying the story.
I was feeling grateful to live near a lake, not the ocean, until my research revealed that you are more likely to be killed by a coconut falling on you than be attacked by a Great White. Just in case sharks become the latest craze, I’ve gone over to Daily Lit and signed up for free daily delivery of Moby Dick to my inbox. I’ve also viewed this footage of Basking Sharks in the Falmouth area, just in case I come upon a serious shark discussion. Wouldn't you know that there even is a Great White Shark blog? There are several areas where Great Whites are routinely spotted, and for a real adventure tale you might like to see this story by the survivor of a Great White attack.
Cornwall depends on vacationers for 25% of its income, and its no surprise that experts in the local press have surmised that the sighting was really a Basking Shark, which are often seen in the area. The local BBC Cornwall news, available in streaming mode, is also downplaying the story.
I was feeling grateful to live near a lake, not the ocean, until my research revealed that you are more likely to be killed by a coconut falling on you than be attacked by a Great White. Just in case sharks become the latest craze, I’ve gone over to Daily Lit and signed up for free daily delivery of Moby Dick to my inbox. I’ve also viewed this footage of Basking Sharks in the Falmouth area, just in case I come upon a serious shark discussion. Wouldn't you know that there even is a Great White Shark blog? There are several areas where Great Whites are routinely spotted, and for a real adventure tale you might like to see this story by the survivor of a Great White attack.
Update (8/7): A Porbeagle Shark was caught tje other day in Cornwall, leading to speculation that this was the shark thought to be a Great White. Porbeagles are common in Cornish Waters. In the meatime, there are reports of a Great White off the Spanish Costa Brava, a popular European vacation destination.
posted by Publia at 8:06 AM
3 Comments:
Never ever believe what the SUN says....
That definitely is a worse form of tabloid.
Worst form of tabloid, but with very exciting news. I think it was a promo for the TV show. We have a few tabloids here, but nothing as exciting and only weekly. I think they were basking sharks.
It's a hoax created by either Californian or Australian surfers. They're trying to keep the Brits out of the water so we won't beat them!
Come on down to Bude and get surfing...
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