Shark conservationist Richard Pierce leading a two week search of the Cornish coastline. He hopes to photograph the creatures from the boat and from underwater using a shark cage.
Mr Pierce from Bude, Cornwall, will be joined by South African shark expert Craig Ferreira on angling charter boat Blue Fox. The boat’s owner and a skipper will make up the four-strong crew.
They aim to be at sea for 14 days, returning to land each night. It is hoped the predators will be drawn to the scent of fish remains released into the water from the boat. A baited line with a float attached will be used to draw the shark closer. Once it is within reach, the team will attach a tag to help trace its future movements. Mr Pierce said:
“There is always danger where anything bigger and stronger than you with teeth is involved. To say there isn’t danger would be silly. But it is minimal – probably less dangerous than crossing the road.”
The team are to spend two days planning their route and carrying out equipment checks before setting off on Wednesday. The trip – funded entirely by Mr Pierce and his wife Jacqui – will cost an estimated £ 10,000.
Mr Pierce, a freelance marketing consultant, said a number of reported Great White sightings in Cornish waters over the last seven years are evidence of the creatures visiting the area.
“I feel quite strongly that these animals probably are visitors in very small numbers to Cornwall and maybe have been for hundreds of years,” he said.
