A huge, 11-foot-long shark has been found dead on a beach sparking fury that anglers killed it.
Wildlife lovers were furious after it was revealed the endangered animal found washed up.
It probably died after being caught by sport fishermen, they claim.
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Experts believe the thresher shark – which has a tail longer than its body – died after being injured by a fishing line.
It was classified as endangered in European waters and was discovered washed up by a dog walker on New Year’s Day.
Experts from Cornwall Wildlife Trust’s Marine Strandings Network attended the scene on Par Beach, Cornwall shortly after.
Their initial assessments suggest the shark experienced significant trauma likely caused by angling as reported by Need To Know.
A spokesperson said: “Initial assessments suggest that the shark had experienced significant trauma, likely caused by line-caught sport fishing.
“Bycatch remains a major threat to ocean wildlife.
“Cornwall Wildlife Trust urges water users to follow safe handling and release practices to protect our marine animals.
“Huge thanks to our amazing volunteers and community members who helped move the animal safely and kept people at a safe distance.
“Post-mortem results are pending, full results will be published in due course.
“Learn more about responsible fishing on our website.”
It is the second thresher to be found dead on a beach in weeks.
One rescued from an abandoned fishing net in Clovelly, Devon was found dead there just days later.
People were fuming about the latest fishing-linked thresher death in Cornwall.
Fiona Wodehouse said: “All blood sports need banning.”
Pip Evans added: “There’s no excuse for animal abuse.
“No animals should ever be abused for a human to get an adrenaline kick, or whatever they get out of it.
“It’s always the animals who are the victims.”
Cherry Berry said, “They ban straws to save the fish – but don’t ban fishing to save the fish.”
While Sylvia Morley just said: “How very sad.”
But Kaye Brennan defended the fishing industry saying: “Fishers are just supplying.
“Good ones do their best – in the toughest of circumstances.
“Industrial fishing is incredibly damaging and should be stopped.
“But the consumer must surely take some responsibility here.”
