Yes, Spain is home to various species of sharks. The country’s extensive coastline, including the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, provides a diverse habitat for a range of marine life, including sharks.
Common shark species found in the waters around Spain include the Blue Shark (Prionace glauca), Shortfin Mako Shark (Isurus oxyrinchus), and the Hammerhead Shark (Sphyrna spp.), among others. The presence of sharks is integral to the health of marine ecosystems, and Spain, like many other coastal regions, plays a role in shark conservation and management efforts.
List of Different Types of Sharks in Spain
Angel Shark:
- Size: 4-7 feet
- Aggressiveness: Moderately aggressive
- Description: Angel sharks are bottom-dwelling species with flattened bodies and broad pectoral fins. They are well-adapted to life on the ocean floor.
Basking Shark:
- Size: 23-30 feet
- Aggressiveness: Not aggressive
- Description: Basking sharks are filter feeders and the second-largest living shark. They have enormous mouths and feed on plankton by swimming with their mouths wide open.
Bigeye Thresher Shark:
- Size: 11-16 feet
- Aggressiveness: Not aggressive
- Description: Bigeye thresher sharks are known for their long tails, which they use to stun prey. They have large eyes and are found in open ocean environments.
Blue Shark:
- Size: 6-11 feet
- Aggressiveness: Not aggressive
- Description: Blue sharks are characterized by their distinct blue coloration. They are among the most common sharks and are often found in both the Atlantic and Mediterranean.
Common Thresher Shark:
- Size: 12-18 feet
- Aggressiveness: Not aggressive
- Description: Common thresher sharks, like bigeye threshers, have long tails that they use for hunting. They are found in pelagic waters and are known for their agility.
Copper Shark:
- Size: 11-12 feet
- Aggressiveness: Not aggressive
- Description: Copper sharks, also known as bronze whalers, are found in both coastal and offshore waters. They have a bronzy appearance and are not considered aggressive.
Dusky Shark:
- Size: 9-12 feet
- Aggressiveness: Not aggressive (until provoked)
- Description: Dusky sharks are found in tropical and temperate waters. While generally not aggressive, they may become so when provoked.
Frilled Shark:
- Size: 5.6-6.6 feet
- Aggressiveness: Not aggressive
- Description: Frilled sharks have a unique appearance with an eel-like body and fringed gill slits. They are rarely encountered due to their deep-sea habitat.
Great White Shark:
- Size: 11-16 feet
- Aggressiveness: Highly aggressive
- Description: Great white sharks are apex predators and are known for their powerful jaws and predatory behavior. They are considered highly aggressive.
Longfin Mako Shark:
- Size: 12-14 feet
- Aggressiveness: Not aggressive
- Description: Longfin mako sharks are a species of mackerel shark known for their speed and agility. They are found in both coastal and offshore waters.
Nursehound Shark:
- Size: 4.3-5.2 feet
- Aggressiveness: Not aggressive
- Description: Nursehound sharks, also known as large-spotted dogfish, are bottom-dwelling sharks with distinct markings. They are relatively small and not considered aggressive.
Oceanic Whitetip Shark:
- Size: 10-13 feet
- Aggressiveness: Highly aggressive
- Description: Oceanic whitetip sharks are known for their long pectoral fins. They are often found in open ocean environments and have a reputation for aggressiveness.
Porbeagle Shark:
- Size: 6-12 feet
- Aggressiveness: Not aggressive
- Description: Porbeagle sharks are powerful swimmers found in both cold and temperate waters. They have a conical snout and are not considered aggressive.
Sand Tiger Shark:
- Size: 7-10 feet
- Aggressiveness: Not aggressive (due to their small mouths)
- Description: Sand tiger sharks have a unique appearance with long, pointed teeth. Despite their menacing look, they are generally not aggressive toward humans.
Shortfin Mako Shark:
- Size: 6.5-9.5 feet
- Aggressiveness: Highly aggressive
- Description: Shortfin mako sharks are known for their incredible speed and agility. They are powerful predators and are considered highly aggressive.
Silky Shark:
- Size: 7-10 feet
- Aggressiveness: Highly aggressive
- Description: Silky sharks are found in warm, tropical waters. They are characterized by their smooth skin and are known for their aggressive behavior.
Small Spotted Catshark:
- Size: 2.5-3 feet
- Aggressiveness: Not aggressive
- Description: Small spotted catsharks, also known as lesser-spotted dogfish, are small, bottom-dwelling sharks. They are not considered aggressive.
Smooth Hammerhead Shark:
- Size: 8-12 feet
- Aggressiveness: Not aggressive (but are potentially dangerous)
- Description: Smooth hammerhead sharks are known for their distinctive hammer-shaped heads. While not typically aggressive, they can be potentially dangerous.
Spiny Dogfish:
- Size: 2.5-3.5 feet
- Aggressiveness: Not aggressive (due to their small size)
- Description: Spiny dogfish are small sharks found in cold waters. They have spines in front of their dorsal fins and are not considered aggressive.
Whale Shark:
- Size: 18-32 feet
- Aggressiveness: Not aggressive
- Description: Whale sharks are the largest fish species and are filter feeders. They have distinctive markings and are known for their gentle nature.
Why Sharks Appear in Spain?
The presence of sharks along the coasts of Spain can be attributed to various factors, highlighting the complex interplay between environmental conditions and human activities.
Climate Change:
One significant factor contributing to the appearance of sharks in Spanish waters is climate change. The alteration of water temperatures and shifts in the migration patterns of marine species are direct consequences of climate change. These changes could influence the distribution of sharks, prompting them to explore waters where they were less common before. Rising ocean temperatures may drive aquatic animals northward in search of cooler habitats, explaining the increasing presence of sharks in Spain.
Spain, with its diverse coastal regions encompassing the warm Mediterranean Sea and the cooler waters of the Atlantic Ocean, provides a dynamic environment. Sharks may migrate between these regions, seeking optimal conditions and suitable prey.
Overfishing Impact:
Overfishing substantially impacts the occurrence of sharks near beaches and in nearshore waters. When fish stocks decline due to overfishing, sharks, as crucial elements in the marine food chain, may venture closer to shores in search of prey. The depletion of their natural prey in deeper waters could drive sharks to explore shallower coastal areas.
The decline in shark populations due to overfishing affects the sharks themselves and can lead to an imbalance in marine ecosystems. This imbalance can have cascading effects, impacting other species and the ocean’s overall health.
Increased Research and Monitoring:
Modern technologies, such as satellite trackers, have facilitated enhanced research and monitoring of shark populations in Spain. Scientists are gaining a better understanding of sharks’ migration patterns and behavior in the region. This increased knowledge is essential for implementing effective conservation measures and managing potential interactions between sharks and humans.
Areas in Spain Where Sharks Are Most Present:
Sharks in Spain are more commonly found in regions such as the Cantabrian Sea and the Mediterranean. The Mediterranean, in particular, tends to host more harmless shark species. However, the colder waters of the Atlantic, including the Bay of Biscay, are home to larger sharks.
Several regions in Spain have documented shark sightings, including the Balearic Islands, Canary Islands, Valencian Community, Catalonia, Granada, Galicia, and Asturias. Notable sightings have occurred in unexpected locations, such as the Vigo estuary in Galicia, where white sharks exceeding 10 meters in length were documented.
Are there shark attacks in Spain?
While shark attacks in Spain are rare, they can occur. The most common species associated with shark attacks are the more aggressive ones, such as the great white shark, shortfin mako shark, and oceanic whitetip shark. However, it’s essential to note that these incidents are infrequent, and sharks generally do not pose a significant threat to humans. Shark attacks are often cases of mistaken identity, and sharks are not actively seeking out humans as prey.