The waters of the Huelva coast are once again in the news after the sighting of a thresher shark in Mazagón, spotted by a family boating in the area. The animal was seen very close to the boat, displaying its unmistakable elongated, whip-like tail while accompanying the ship for a few moments.
The scene was recorded and shared on TikTok by user Misael, where the clip has spread like wildfire and is already accumulating more than 2,5 million viewsThe images show the fish's fin and its unusual maneuver as it pops up part of its tail, a detail that has sparked the curiosity of specialists and the general public.
What was observed during the sighting?
As seen in the video, the shark maintained a trajectory parallel to the vessel without showing any signs of aggression. This is a behavior compatible with a species pelagic and migratory, which sometimes approaches boats out of interest or because of the wake they generate.
One of the most striking features was the partial elevation of its tail out of the water, a structure that thresher sharks use to group and stun schools de pecesThis gesture, together with the length of the upper caudal fin, helps to differentiate it from other sharks present in Iberian waters.
The impact of video on social networks
The publication has generated thousands of comments and reactions in a few days, demonstrating the social interest in marine fauna near our coasts. The short format and the clarity of the sighting have contributed to its high diffusion on TikTok.
This clip has helped to make visible a rare species on beaches and foster questions about their biology. Furthermore, citizen records, when accompanied by context, can contribute to raising awareness on its conservation.
Conservation status and subspecies
The thresher shark is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. Under this common name three species are grouped: the big-eyed fox (Alopias superciliosus), the common fox (Alopias vulpinus) and the pelagic fox (Alopias pelagicus), all of which are under increasing pressure from fishing.
In the case of big-eye thresher shark, his situation is especially delicate: he is In danger in the western North Atlantic and in areas of the western and central Atlantic, while it appears as almost threatened in the southwest Atlantic.
El common thresher shark is classified as almost threatened in the central eastern Pacific, and the pelagic thresher shark maintains the category of Vulnerable throughout its distribution range.
The main threats include the catch in longline fisheries, especially in the Atlantic. The anatomy of these sharks, with a spectacular tail which is the protagonist of the sightings, can favor the bycatch, contributing to the decline of their populations and motivating campaigns to strengthen their protection.
The tail: hunting tool and risk factor
The upper caudal fin of the thresher shark can reach a length similar to the rest of the bodyWith it, he performs quick blows that stun the fish, being a hunting strategy as efficient as it is unique in the world of sharks.
This trait, however, also increases the probability of entanglement in arts such as longlining. Therefore, many organizations and experts insist on the need to implement fisheries management measures and in carrying out rigorous population monitoring.
The sighting in Mazagón has highlighted the value of a fascinating and elusive species, reminding us that their conservation requires reducing fishing pressure and deepening our knowledge of their biology. This viral sighting not only generated an impact on social media, but also calls for responsibility to protect this species in the oceans.