100 Sharks Mysteriously Strand on Belgian Coast
Approximately 100 starry smooth-hound sharks (Mustelus asterias) have mysteriously washed ashore on the Belgian coast between Koksijde and De Panne between May 28 and June 2, 2026. Marine biologists from the Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (ILVO) are leading the investigation, with the leading hypothesis pointing to commercial fishing bycatch as the cause.
The Discovery
The first specimens were discovered by a walker on the evening of Thursday, May 28, between Sint-Idesbald and Ster der Zee in the Koksijde area. By Friday, May 29, Koksijde environmental services had collected 24 dead sharks. The strandings continued over the weekend, bringing the total to approximately 80 by June 1 and reaching about 100 by June 2, according to La Libre Belgique.
ILVO examined 57 specimens and froze 7 for dissection. The sharks showed no visible external injuries or bite marks, but internal injuries suggest capture in fishing nets.
A Harmless Local Species
The starry smooth-hound is a small, bottom-dwelling shark found in the northeastern Atlantic, from the North Sea to the Mediterranean. Growing up to approximately one meter in length, these harmless sharks feed on crabs, shrimp, and small bottom-dwelling fish. They are grey with distinctive light spots and pose no threat to humans.
According to the ILVO official statement, the vast majority of stranded animals were adult females, many carrying unborn pups. This suggests a nearby nursery area or that the females were en route to the Western Scheldt delta in the Netherlands, which was recognized in 2025 as an “Important Shark and Ray Area” for this species.
Leading Hypothesis: Fishing Bycatch
Joanna Desmidt, lead researcher at ILVO, told VRT NWS that the leading hypothesis is that the sharks were caught as bycatch by commercial fishermen and then discarded at sea. “Fishermen are currently active along the coast looking for species such as shrimp and flatfish. They can catch large groups of sharks in their nets,” Desmidt explained. “Because the starry smooth-hound is of little commercial interest and has no quota, fishermen often throw the animals overboard. That is legally permitted.”
Several factors support this theory: the absence of bite marks, internal injuries consistent with net capture, the large scale of the stranding (~100 sharks), and the fact that a similar event occurred the previous weekend in Wales.
Regulatory Gaps Exposed
The incident highlights a significant gap in European fisheries regulation. The starry smooth-hound is not subject to EU fishing quotas, meaning there is no legal limit on catch. There is also no landing obligation, so fishermen are not required to bring bycaught sharks to port. They can legally discard them at sea, dead or alive.
The species has low commercial value — in 2025, only 540 kg were brought to auction in Belgium at €0.15 per kilogram, as RTBF reported.
Despite being listed as “Near Threatened” on the IUCN Red List due to slow growth and low reproductive rates, the starry smooth-hound receives no specific protection under EU fisheries law.
Alternative Hypotheses
While bycatch is the leading theory, Desmidt noted that other explanations cannot be ruled out. “The sharks may also have been surprised by the tides or by shifting sandbanks, causing them to end up on the beach and suffocate,” she told VRT NWS. An environmental disaster is considered unlikely, as other species would normally also wash up in such a scenario.
Scientific Investigation and Implications
ILVO, in collaboration with the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (KBIN), is working to determine the exact capture location of the sharks. The investigation is particularly relevant to the ELASMON project, which aims to better understand shark and ray distribution in the Belgian North Sea and identify nursery areas.
If the investigation confirms a nursery area near De Panne and Koksijde, it could lead to discussions about temporary fishing closures in the area. Desmidt acknowledged that implementing such closures would be legally challenging and time-consuming.
What’s Next
ILVO expects to have more results within June 2026. The findings could have significant implications for fisheries management and conservation policy, potentially prompting regulatory changes for non-quota species that are vulnerable to bycatch mortality. The incident also raises questions about whether the stranding is linked to the similar event in Wales the previous weekend.
For now, the mystery of why these particular sharks did not survive their discard remains unanswered — a question that ILVO’s ongoing dissection and analysis aims to resolve.