Shark filmed off Brittany

IF YOU are in Brittany and thinking about taking part in one of the many end-of-year sea swims watch out for a potentially unwanted swimming companion - the 2.5m Porbeagle shark.

The endangered species has been sighted a number of times in the area surrounding Perros-Guirec in the Côtes d’Armor, but do not panic, these sharks have very rarely, if ever bitten a swimmer and have never been involved in a fatal attack.

Amateur video-maker Didier Brémont managed to catch one close up on video earlier this year by waiting under his boat with his camera in his hand.

Mr Brémont, 59, told Connexion: “I was told the shark was in the area by local fisherman and I came across it close to the coast. The shark approached me until it was just over a metre away but I wasn’t scared – I’ve swum with Bull sharks and Grey reef sharks and I’ve wanted to see a Porbeagle for nearly ten years.”

Mr Brémont said his encounter was beyond the normal swimming zone. However, the sharks measure an average of over 2.5m long and have a stocky build, so could easily appear frightening.

The Porbeagle, a type of mackerel shark, is found in the cold and temperate waters of the North Atlantic and Southern Hemisphere, feeding mainly on fish.

They are not seen very often, as the overall species is classed as ‘vunerable’ by the IUCN’s list of threatened species and ‘critically endangered’ in the eastern north Atlantic and Mediterranean.

The sharks are most easily recognised by a white blotch at the base of their dorsal fin and a white underside.

Mr Brémont said: “I’ve always been interested in underwater wildlife. It’s hard to choose my favourite out of all the creatures that I’ve seen, as they are all different. However, I really enjoyed filming the Porbeagle as there aren’t many images or videos of them and I waited so many years to see it.”

He published his video on his website and YouTube channel. He has been documenting his underwater adventures since 2002 and over the years has also filmed other creatures such as dolphins, sardines, turtles, seals and orcas.

If you are still up for a festive dip, there are organised group swims in Saint-Gildas-de-Rhuys on December 20 and Locquirec on December 31.

• For more of Mr Brémont’s videos of other underwater wildlife see: bremont-didier.com