Hundreds of dead sharks and other marine life, including catshark and dogfish, have been discovered washed up on beaches in Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire over the past week. Pauline Morris, a 65-year-old nurse from Aberdare, made the grim discovery while walking her dogs at Pembrey Beach on Saturday. She described the scene as "horrendous," with carcasses spread across a large area, trapped in what appeared to be a discarded fishing net.
Morris, who has worked in healthcare for over four decades, said she had never seen anything like it. "I’ve seen dead fish before, but nothing of this scale. It was a shocking sight," she told reporters. "The sharks were tangled in a net, and there were smaller fish too. I don’t know if it broke loose from a trawler or if it was deliberately cut loose because the catch wasn’t what they wanted."
💡 Pro Tip
If you encounter washed-up marine life, do not touch it. Report sightings to local authorities or wildlife trusts immediately to prevent potential health hazards and to aid in investigations.
Cliff Benson, founder of Sea Trust Wales, confirmed that many of the carcasses were likely catshark, a species frequently caught as bycatch in commercial fishing operations. He had also been alerted to dead marine life at Saundersfoot Beach in Pembrokeshire last week and reported it to Natural Resources Wales (NRW).
| Beach | Species Identified | Reported By |
|---|---|---|
| Pembrey Beach | Catshark, dogfish, other fish | Pauline Morris |
| Saundersfoot Beach | Catshark, other fish | Social media post |
NRW confirmed that an officer had inspected Saundersfoot Beach but found no trace of the carcasses, as tides had already dragged them back into the sea. A spokesperson stated, "We investigated reports of dead fish at Saundersfoot and found no evidence of a pollution incident. The fish appear to be dogfish, and this is likely linked to fishing bycatch being discarded at sea."
Key Points
- ✅ Over 200 carcasses discovered in two separate incidents
- ⚡ Most fish identified as catshark and dogfish, species commonly caught as bycatch
- 💡 Authorities suspect discarded fishing nets or trawler bycatch as the cause
The incident has raised concerns among local residents and marine conservationists. Morris, who typically buys fish from local markets, said she would now avoid seafood altogether. "I’m not sure I can trust it after seeing this," she admitted. Benson echoed her concerns, calling for stricter enforcement of fishing regulations to prevent such waste. "This is not just an environmental issue; it’s a waste of marine life that could be avoided with better practices," he said.
- 📊 Over 200 carcasses were counted at Pembrey Beach alone, with more likely unrecovered
- 🔍 NRW ruled out pollution but linked deaths to discarded fishing gear
- ⚠️ Tides have already cleared most carcasses, making full assessment difficult
Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire councils have yet to comment on the incidents. However, NRW stated they had informed local authorities and relevant partners about the findings. The organization also noted that no wider environmental impacts had been identified at this stage, but investigations would continue.
📋 By The Numbers
- 200+ — Estimated number of dead sharks and fish washed up at Pembrey and Saundersfoot
- 2 — Number of beaches affected in separate but related incidents
- 3 — Days between the first reported sighting and NRW’s investigation
The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) has not yet commented on whether any trawlers violated fishing regulations. Under UK law, fishermen are required to land all caught species, even if unwanted, to minimize bycatch waste. However, exceptions exist for small-scale vessels, and enforcement remains inconsistent. Conservation groups argue that the incident highlights the need for tighter controls on fishing practices to protect marine ecosystems.
- Immediate Impact — Carcasses washed ashore, raising public alarm and prompting NRW investigation
- Ongoing Concerns — Conservationists demand stricter enforcement of bycatch regulations
- Long-Term Risk — Potential for similar incidents if fishing practices remain unchecked