The Dutch have always sailed the world, and research has indicated that Dutch sharks are travelers too. Well, Dutch… maybe just European! This year, the first small smooth-hound sharks were caught near Hastings in England, and only a few days later, the first ‘Dutchies’ were caught near Neeltje Jans, the entrance to the Eastern Schelde.
- In 2011, 212 sharks were caught and tagged, of which six have been recaught.
- In 2012, 520 sharks were caught and tagged, of which 18 have been recaught.
- In 2013, 268 sharks were caught and tagged, none have been recaught yet.
Weir fisherman Piet den Boef carefully releases a tagged smooth-hound shark back into the water
The smallest shark was 11 cm, the largest 130 cm. Recreational fishermen are still catching sharks for ‘tag & release’, and it is expected, that there will be an incredible total number of around 1500 tagged sharks end of this year!
The most northern smooth-hound shark was recaught near Stavanger (Norway), the most southern near the Gulf of Biscaye (Spain).
Data indicate that larger females travel up the Eastern Schelde to give birth, and this sea arm could be a breeding ground for smooth-hound sharks. This makes the ‘Zeeland Delta’ even more biologically important!
