JAWS shark search in waters where Quint actor Robert Shaw lived

To paraphrase JAWS (1975), it's only Ireland if you look at it from the water, but now experts are hoping to prove that Great White Sharks are swimming below the surface of its coast

It's all rather fitting as Ireland, Tourmakeady in County Mayo, to be precise, was the home of Robert Shaw, who played grizzled shark hunter Quint in the Steven Spielberg film.

Ireland was also where the Oscar-nominated actor (criminally not for JAWS) who played the captain of the Orca died in 1978, just three years after the release of the shark classic that forever changed the face of cinema and the public perception of sharks and swimming in the ocean (or swimming pool for that matter).

Researchers with US-based group Ocearch collect data from a white shark, with the animal’s welfare a key consideration. Ocearch is to support an expedition surveying for great whites in Irish waters. Photograph: Chris Ross/IPG/Ocearch

There's been unconfirmed sightings off Ireland and the water temperature and environment is certainly right, but now Irish scientists and Ocearch, a US-based shark research group, are seeking concrete evidence that there are Great White Sharks in Irish waters.

Dr Nick Payne of Trinity College Dublin's School of Natural Sciences, who is leading the expedition, said: "Those of us that study Great Whites in other parts of the world have had our eyes on Ireland as a likely location that the species may occasionally visit. The temperature and food options for them are ideal, so we think it’s just a matter of time before we find one here.

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"It’s exciting to bring together some of the world’s best shark scientists to search for these amazing animals. It's also a brilliant opportunity to learn more about the other incredible sharks we have in our waters, and particularly the threats they face."

US-based Ocearch researchers track a white shark. Photograph: Chris Ross/IPG/Ocearch

The species has been confirmed as appearing as far north as the Bay of Biscay, so it isn't out of the realms of possibility, but no one has been able to prove reports around Ireland and the UK and get their name into the National Geographic...just yet.

Not that it would be alone as, according to The Irish Times, approximately 40 shark species inhabit Irish waters, so the species immortalised by the Peter Benchley bestseller and subsequent film would be in good company.

If proof of Great White Sharks swimming off the Irish coast is found then it certainly isn't something to be alarmed about, after all sharks are an important part of the ocean's ecosystem and shark encounters are incredibly rare.

It's something to get very excited about and would no doubt raise debate about everything from safety in the water to global warming and what this would mean for the UK coast which is only a short swim away.

A scientist with US research group Ocearch observes a white shark. Photograph: Chris Ross/ICG/Ocearch

The shark survey will take place in September and it sounds like those involved are gonna need a bigger boat as the Irish team comprises of researchers from Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin, University College Cork, Munster Technological University, the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group, Marine Institute and Fair Seas.

Ocearch Chief Scientist & Veterinarian, Dr Harley Newton, said: "Sharks are keystone species in marine ecosystems.

"As top predators in the food web they regulate prey populations and through that shape the diversity, abundance, and distribution of other species. This abundance and diversity is key to the health of marine habitats as well as human livelihoods.

"This expedition is an exciting opportunity to contribute knowledge on Ireland’s shark populations and why we need them."

But even if the Great White Shark remains elusive, they will also be using the opportunity to research the wealth of shark and ray species that are already known to inhabit the waters.

Dr Payne said: "Effective management requires a good understanding of what’s out there and how things are changing.

"After that we can start to learn much more about what we can do to help conserve these animals. They are so important to us and our ecosystems. We should be protecting them and we shouldn't be afraid of them."

Whichever way you look at it, if Great White Sharks are confirmed then it is a good thing and certainly very much the luck of the Irish and will rewrite shark books about the reach of these magnificent creatures.

And who knows perhaps any real-life Matt Hooper won't need to go to Brisbane as they'll have a Great White Shark right here in Ireland.

Words by Dean Newman

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