In a scene that could have been lifted straight from a Hollywood script, fishermen on the Northumberland coast experienced a startling brush with marine giants in early 1976. The incident, reported in local papers, bore an uncanny resemblance to the blockbuster film Jaws, which was set to dominate cinemas that very year.
A Startling Encounter in Boulmer Harbour
The drama unfolded in the small fishing village of Boulmer, on the north Northumberland coast. On 23 January 1976, four fishermen were stowing their lobster pots aboard their coble in the shallow bay harbour. Their routine task was suddenly interrupted when a large shark appeared and began to nuzzle the boat.
Moments later, three more sharks joined the first, all estimated to be over 10 feet in length. The group started to nudge and worry the fishermen's vessel. Initially, the crew paid little attention to the unusual demonstration. However, as the sharks persisted with their provocative tactics, the coble's owners wisely decided to make for the safety of land.
The Fishermen's Account and Shark Species
When later questioned about the nerve-racking event, the fishermen from Boulmer were succinct in their description, reportedly stating the creatures were "great big bastards". The sharks involved were almost certainly basking sharks (Cetorhinus maximus), a species known to migrate along the UK's north-eastern coasts.
Despite their formidable size, basking sharks are filter-feeders and pose no threat to humans. Historically, they were hunted off southern Ireland for their oil-rich livers, which were in medicinal demand. The late author Gavin Maxwell famously documented his early adventures in this trade.
Sharks in British Waters: Separating Fact from Fiction
While the 1976 encounter was undoubtedly alarming, it's important to note that the sharks of British seas are not man-eaters. Species like the porbeagle, thresher, and mako provide sport for deep-sea anglers, but they do not seek out human prey.
The incident in Boulmer serves as a powerful reminder of the magnificent, and sometimes intimidating, wildlife that inhabits UK coastal waters. While Jaws delivered cinematic thrills, the reality of shark encounters in Britain is far less sinister, though no less memorable for those who experience them.
