VietNamNet Bridge – Scientists have identified the species of a shark found on the shore of Ha Long Bay in northern coastal Quang Ninh Province, whose image was posted on social network recently.

The image of a man holding a shark was posted on social network recently. Scientists identified the shark species, but said it is not enough proof to confirm that this particular species is found in Ha Long Bay.

According to report released by the Institute of Marine Environment and Resources on Wednesday, a pigeye shark or Java shark (Carcharhinus amboinensis) is an uncommon species of requiem shark, belonging to the Carcharhinidae family.

Earlier, an image was posted on Facebook of a man holding a fish some 1.5m long, suspected to be a shark that was found on the shore of Ha Long Bay. This fish was then carried by a man on a motorbike, dan tri news website reported.

However, due to insufficient information on the shark, it is not yet clear whether this species is found in Ha Long Bay, as suggested in the news posted on social networks in recent days, scientists said.

Another shark species, Carcharhinus amblyrhynchoides, attacked humans at least 10 times off the coast of Binh Dinh Province’s Quy Nhon Town a few years ago.

According to research worldwide, the species is found in tropical shallow waters close to the shore, near the surf line and along beaches, and in shallow bays and estuaries. The pigeye shark is large with a thick-set head. Its colour is grey and white.

The pigeye shark is sporadically distributed in the Indo-West Pacific Ocean, scientists said. 

It can migrate seasonally to areas where there are reefs to reproduce.

There is no research to prove that it treats humans as prey. 

VNS