An expedition that could have been plucked from the script of the iconic movie “Jaws” is underway off the coast of Britain, as explorer Ben Fogle spearheads a mission to uncover the potential presence of great white sharks in the region’s waters. A team of scientists, equipped with cameras, is embarking on a voyage with the ambitious goal of capturing footage of these feared predators in action.
As the project unfolds, the expedition will utilize a tantalizing lure—a whale carcass—to attract sharks in the Irish Sea. This captivating endeavor is set to form the cornerstone of an upcoming ITV documentary scheduled to air in the autumn, offering viewers a glimpse into the mysterious depths of British waters.
While marine experts remain divided on the possibility of great white sharks frequenting the British coast, no concrete evidence has been found thus far. This expedition, which begins from the north coast of Devon, aims to change that status quo. Months of meticulous preparations have culminated in this audacious endeavor to shed light on the hidden habits of these enigmatic creatures.
A whale carcass that washed ashore on the north coast of Scotland earlier this year will be ingeniously used as bait for the experiment. Stored in a facility in Shropshire, the carcass will be towed to an area called the Celtic Deep, located 35 miles (56 km) off the coast. Here, the team will endeavor to keep the carcass afloat before submerging it 100 feet (30 meters) beneath the waves—a strategy designed to attract the interest of these apex predators.
This pioneering approach marks the first time a deceased whale has been employed for marine life monitoring outside of tropical waters. Fogle, speaking about the venture, referred to it as a “top secret mission” and expressed his excitement for the potential to transform understanding of British Atlantic waters.
The team’s expectations include spotting hammerhead and blue sharks, but the ultimate prize would be capturing footage of a great white—a species that has long captured both awe and fear. The likelihood of encountering a great white in British waters remains low, but the prospect of encountering other magnificent oceanic sharks presents an exciting possibility.
The expedition, while an audacious quest to uncover one of the ocean’s greatest enigmas, also carries an element of caution. The history of great white shark sightings in the area is scant and unverified. The ongoing study and exploration of these majestic creatures may shed new light on their behavior and presence in the British waters, offering insights into a realm that has remained largely unexplored.
An expedition that could have been plucked from the script of the iconic movie “Jaws” is underway off the coast of Britain, as explorer Ben Fogle spearheads a mission to uncover the potential presence of great white sharks in the region’s waters. A team of scientists, equipped with cameras, is embarking on a voyage with the ambitious goal of capturing footage of these feared predators in action.
As the project unfolds, the expedition will utilize a tantalizing lure—a whale carcass—to attract sharks in the Irish Sea. This captivating endeavor is set to form the cornerstone of an upcoming ITV documentary scheduled to air in the autumn, offering viewers a glimpse into the mysterious depths of British waters.
While marine experts remain divided on the possibility of great white sharks frequenting the British coast, no concrete evidence has been found thus far. This expedition, which begins from the north coast of Devon, aims to change that status quo. Months of meticulous preparations have culminated in this audacious endeavor to shed light on the hidden habits of these enigmatic creatures.
A whale carcass that washed ashore on the north coast of Scotland earlier this year will be ingeniously used as bait for the experiment. Stored in a facility in Shropshire, the carcass will be towed to an area called the Celtic Deep, located 35 miles (56 km) off the coast. Here, the team will endeavor to keep the carcass afloat before submerging it 100 feet (30 meters) beneath the waves—a strategy designed to attract the interest of these apex predators.
This pioneering approach marks the first time a deceased whale has been employed for marine life monitoring outside of tropical waters. Fogle, speaking about the venture, referred to it as a “top secret mission” and expressed his excitement for the potential to transform understanding of British Atlantic waters.
The team’s expectations include spotting hammerhead and blue sharks, but the ultimate prize would be capturing footage of a great white—a species that has long captured both awe and fear. The likelihood of encountering a great white in British waters remains low, but the prospect of encountering other magnificent oceanic sharks presents an exciting possibility.
The expedition, while an audacious quest to uncover one of the ocean’s greatest enigmas, also carries an element of caution. The history of great white shark sightings in the area is scant and unverified. The ongoing study and exploration of these majestic creatures may shed new light on their behavior and presence in the British waters, offering insights into a realm that has remained largely unexplored.
