A great white shark, weighing 510 kilograms, and five meters in length, has been captured by fishermen on Wednesday. The shark was subsequently sold to a restaurant in Qingdao, which plans to make it into a culinary delicacy for customers.

Upon hearing the news, experts from China Ocean University immediately contacted the restaurant. They hope the restaurant will allow them to study the great white shark and make it into a specimen for future study.

But are there really white sharks living off the coast of Qingdao? And just how was this shark captured?

Fishmongers told that the shark was the booty of seven fishermen. After an arduous three-hour fight, the fisherman finally landed the catch on Tuesday evening in the nearby sea area of Chaolian Island, off the coast of Qingdao.

When the fishing boat docked at Shazikou port, the fishmongers were at first astonished to see such a large fish, but soon realized it was a shark.

Because of its great nutritional value and delicious flavor, people forcibly bid to buy the shark. After securing a good deal, the shark was eventually sold to a restaurant for sixteen-thousand yuan.

Staff at the theme park, Qingdao Polar Ocean World, said it is a misunderstanding that sharks will only show up in the waters around Qingdao in autumn. There are actually many factors that could cause the animals to appear into the waters at varying times of year.

The staff also said the shark probably followed mackerel shoal—the shark's fondest food—into the waters; or rising sea temperatures caused the shark to move locations.

Though sharks are generally considered the most aggressive animal in the ocean, they do become docile after consuming a big meal. Unless they are attacked by others, and under threat, sharks are almost completely harmless to humans.

(CRIENGLISH.com May 24, 2007)