La Punta: shark that was seen in the Peruvian sea has a fatal wound, and would have escaped illegal hunters

The district of La Punta in Callao dawned with news that generated alarm among neighbors and bathers. A two-meter shark was detected swimming near the shores of Cantolao beach. As a precaution, the municipality of that district asked bathers and sportsmen not to enter the sea in order to avoid any contact with the wild animal.

“It is asked not to enter the sea, as a precaution, because a group of Paddle spotted today (Tuesday) an unusual fish, approximately two meters. More details are being confirmed,” said the municipality of La Punta, on its Facebook account.

In that regard, the mayor of La Punta Ramón Garay decided to close access to the La Punta sea out of precaution. although he clarified that people can go to sunbathe, be in the sand, but not enter the water.

Soon after, the organization dedicated to the care of the oceans, Oceana Peru, explained that it is a blue shark and “it is one of 67 species of sharks that can be found in the Peruvian sea.”

They point out that like any wild animal, it should not be manipulated or violated. “Let us remember that humans are not prey for this species. On the contrary, these animals are targets of illegal fishing, by-fishing and illegal trafficking in their fins,” they say.

Meanwhile, biologist Fabiola Zavalaga, researcher at the Peruvian Sea Institute (Imarpe), pointed out that the fish spotted is probably injured or ill. “You ask not to approach him or try to touch him or get him out of the water.”

Speaking to RPP, Mayor Garay indicated that the animal had escaped illegal hunters since it had a fatal wound on the jaw apparently caused by a hook.

“These sharks aren't on the coast. Apparently, they wanted to hunt him, he escaped, and the current brought him to us. He has a wound in his mouth from a hook, and it looks like he's bleeding out there,” he said.

Shortly after, Garay told the Panamericana Television signal that drones in the municipality confirmed that “the shark has a hook in its mouth and that is why it is injured. Now the point is that he is also hungry.”

SHORT LIFESPAN

According to biologists consulted by the municipality of Punteña, the shark will die near the beaches of Chalacas. According to La República, municipal officials have been consulting with specialists to see if the life of the blue shark can be saved.

THE BLUE SHARK

The blue shark is distributed throughout the oceans and seas of the world and receives different names depending on the place: tintorera - a name that also refers to the tiger shark - in Spain and Mexico, caella, caguella or quenlla in Spain, blue shark in Uruguay, Argentina, Peru, and in Chile azulejo.

This species of shark has a stylized, elongated body, with a long, conical snout. He's got big eyes. It has five gill slits, two dorsal fins, two pectoral fins, two anal fins and a caudal fin. It has a white coloration in the ventral part, and a very intense metallic blue in the rest of the body. Its average length is 2.5 m and its weight is 80 kg.

Its diet is basically made up of fish such as mackerel, grouper, horse mackerel, bonito, squid and seabirds. It usually hunts in pairs or small groups to help disperse the schools. You can travel great distances in your search for food. It is estimated that they can cover distances of up to 5500 km.

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