Two sharks have been given a lucky escape after divers found them trapped inside a lost crab pot.
The bull huss were discovered alongside several crabs.
The divers came across the pot while carrying out a dive off St Mawes, Cornwall, as part of a project monitoring maerl beds.
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Cornwall Wildlife Trust marine conservation officer Matt Slater said the sharks could have been trapped for weeks and would eventually have starved to death, as reported by Need To Know.
He said: “It’s amazing that two sharks would fit in there.
“It takes sharks a long time to die, but they would have starved to death eventually.
“They could have been trapped in there for weeks.”
The bull huss, also known as nursehounds or greater-spotted catsharks, can grow up to five feet long.
The rescue has highlighted the dangers posed to marine life by lost fishing equipment, known as ghost gear.
Matt said: “Nobody wants to see wildlife trapped, and fishers don’t want to lose equipment.
“This is an issue we can only solve by working together.
“Better reporting, recovery and prevention of lost gear can help protect marine wildlife while supporting sustainable fishing businesses.
“The vast majority of gear loss is accidental, often occurring during bad weather or challenging sea conditions.
“That’s why it’s important that fishers, conservation organisations and coastal communities work together on practical solutions.”
Cornwall Wildlife Trust said the incident highlighted the wider issue facing the fishing industry.
The charity is calling for government investment to help prevent fishing gear being lost, improve reporting and support recovery efforts, alongside wider measures to protect Cornwall’s marine environment.
A spokesperson said: “Incredible footage showed the moment two sharks were rescued from a lost crab pot during a recent dive.
“Matt Slater and dive buddy Sean discovered the animals, which could have been trapped for weeks, alongside several crabs.
“This rescue had a happy ending but highlights the wider issue of lost fishing gear, also known as ghost gear.
“Nobody wants to see wildlife trapped like this, and fishers don’t want to lose gear.
“The vast majority is lost accidentally during bad weather or challenging sea conditions.”
The charity is encouraging anyone who finds lost fishing gear at sea to record its location and contact organisations such as Fathoms Free, which can help coordinate recovery efforts.
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