An enormous 23ft shark has died after getting caught in a fishing net.
The huge basking shark – the world’s second largest shark species – weighed over a tonne.
A fishing crew said the giant creature became wrapped up in netting.
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It then tangled itself further while trying to escape in a panic.
The crew said it “coiled up” and died in the net.
They then brought its huge carcass back to El Port de la Selva in Girona, Spain.
After arriving at the port, the fishing crew was met by officials of the Catalan Forestry Department.
Officers lifted the enormous sea beast onto the port deck before taking samples last Thursday (10 Apr).
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The adult female shark was 23ft (7 metres) long.
The carcass was removed from the scene to be safely destroyed, as reported by What’s The Jam.
A video of the huge shark being lifted from the fishing boat has been viewed over 42,000 times on X.
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One local said: “What a pity.”
“I doubt it was accidental,” speculated Laura.
Sergio said: “Poor animal, I feel increasingly disgusted by this sh*tty world and those who live in it.”
Basking sharks are slow-moving, filter feeders that mostly eat plankton and small fish.
Despite their imposing size, they are considered harmless to humans.
They are categorised as ‘vulnerable’ by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
In Spain, they are commonly sighted between April and October when the waters reach milder temperatures and plankton proliferation increases.
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