Sharks in the Baltic: Surprising species found in unlikely waters

Sharks primarily bring to mind oceans. However, this does not mean that they only occur in such waters. They can also be found in the Baltic Sea. One of the species is potentially dangerous to humans.

The most dangerous sharks include species such as the great white shark, tiger shark, bull shark, and oceanic whitetip shark. However, these are not found in the Baltic Sea. Our sea's low salinity level– seven per mille – acts as a barrier for these fish. Most sharks prefer much higher salinity.

However, three species of sharks can be found in the Baltic. Two are very small: the spiny dogfish (about 3 feet long) and the common smooth-hound (about 5 feet long). They do not pose a threat to humans.

However, the third species, which can reach 10 feet long, may be dangerous. This is the porbeagle, also known as the mackerel shark.

So far, no attacks by this fish on humans have been recorded. It is known that its regular menu primarily includes mackerel.

The low salinity level in the waters of the Baltic is a barrier for sharks that prefer saltier waters. "And so it is around the Danish straits, where the mentioned species are regular visitors," highlights radiozet.pl.

According to data from sharks.org, the last shark attack on a human on the coasts of the Baltic Sea took place in 1755 in Sweden. However, it was not established which species was responsible for this attack. It is important to remember that one should exercise particular caution when in contact with sharks, as with all wild animals.