ECONOMY - Fisherman Wayne Linkletter has seen all kinds of fish over the years, but never an eight foot shark.
Last week that changed when the Economy resident found a unique discovery in his weir. He typically checks the equipment twice a day and one mid-afternoon he was shocked to find a shark in it.
"It came in with the tide. It was just like in the movies ... it was something I had never seen before and probably will never see again," said Linkletter, 58.
In an effort to save the shark, Linkletter placed a tarp over it to keep it cool and continuously threw water on the fish that was estimated to weigh about 650 pounds and measured eight feet.
Upon a closer look, Linkletter was astonished at the size of the creature's teeth.
"I thought it was not that friendly," the fisherman of more than 40 years laughed.
Linkletter believes the discovery was a fairly uncommon one for the area.
"It's unusual ... a few have been seen in the bay, though, and a few weeks ago a magnificent frigate bird was spotted here. That's unusual too."
Despite his efforts, the shark later died.
Department of Fisheries officers believe the creature is a mako shark, which can be found worldwide. However, the department's fisheries technician Warren Joyce said the local discovery is uncommon.
"They are more rare in the Economy area," said Joyce, adding these types of sharks are typically found in warm, open ocean water. They are typically caught by fishermen while fishing for tuna and swordfish but they have been known to travel closer into the Bay of Fundy in search of food.
Joyce added the mako shark has unique characteristics.
"They are one of the fastest sharks in the ocean and are a sportfish. When hooked, they are capable of jumping 15 to 20 feet in the air," he said.
mchiasson@trurodaily.com
Characteristics of the shortfin mako shark:
– It’s found worldwide
– In Canadian waters these sharks are not abundant as they prefer warm waters, but neither are they rare.
– It can grow to lengths of 3.9 meters (13 feet). There is still some uncertainty about its lifespan, but it is known to reach ages of at least 32 years.
– As one of the fastest sharks in the ocean, this powerful shark can attain burst swimming speeds of up to 35 km/h (22 mph) and can leap clear of the water to heights of up to six meters (20 feet).
– It is a highly migratory species with evidence of crossing the Atlantic to European waters through tagging experiments.
– It feeds mainly upon squid and bony fish including mackerels, tunas, bonitos and swordfish, but may also eat other sharks, porpoises and sea turtles. Marine mammals other than porpoises are consumed on occasion as well.
– Developing embryos feed on unfertilized eggs in the uterus during the gestation period of 15 to 18 months. It’s believed that females may rest for 18 months after birth before the next batch of eggs are fertilized.
– It is rarely encountered by swimmers or divers but has been known to attack boats on occasion.
