For several summers now, El Medano beach in the southern municipality of Passion fruit has been the site of an intriguing natural occurrence. In a specific spot along this bustling southern coastline, coinciding with high and low tides, a group of baby dogfish swims serenely close to the shore just a few metres from where hundreds of beachgoers relax. This event has recently occurred again in mid-December.
This phenomenon has been observed almost daily throughout the month of August each year, with the juvenile sharks navigating among the many intrigued spectators visiting this unique marine ‘nursery’, located beside one of the pillars supporting the Medano hotel. In this shallow area, with a water depth of barely half a metre, up to six baby dogfish measuring around 30 centimetres in length have been seen swimming together.
Marine biologist Jacobo Marrero, who holds a doctorate in Marine Biology from the University of La Laguna, previously acknowledged to NOTICE DIARY that he had not encountered this phenomenon in El Médano before. However, he noted that it is not uncommon to find baby dogfish at other beaches on the island, such as Las Gaviotas and Benijos. “The first point to clarify,” stated Marrero, “is that this is not a safety concern. These young fish are harmless if left undisturbed. Additionally, they hardly possess any teeth.” In fact, no incidents have been reported between the baby sharks and the beachgoers, despite the throngs of curious visitors to the ‘nursery’. “If they frequent that area,” the biologist remarked, “it is because they feel secure there, sheltered from predators and fishermen, and they have ample food available.”
Marrero further clarified that there is no danger of the mother dogfish being nearby, as “the behaviour of the adult female of this species is to approach the shore to give birth and then entirely neglect her offspring,” leaving them to fend for themselves without parental guidance.
The marine expert, who also serves as the scientific director of the Tonina Association, indicated that the behaviour of baby dogfish at El Médano may potentially be influenced by rising sea temperatures due to climate change and increasing human activity. “In any case, it is a privilege to have these young sharks residing on the beach, and we should endeavour to avoid disturbing them. We must learn to coexist with natural species in our environment.”
The dogfish (Galeorhinus galeus) is a silver-grey fish that belongs to the shark family. It can grow to a maximum length of 2 metres and weigh up to 45 kilograms. This species inhabits coastal areas on sandy bottoms and is highly valued by fishermen, as its meat is a key ingredient in a popular local dish known as tollos.
