Skip to main content

Swordfish sighted in Isle of Man: ‘Something that you would never expect to see in a million years’

A swordfish has been sighted five miles off the coast of Isle of Man.

Swordfish sighted in Isles of Man: ‘Something that you would never expect to see in a million years’

The fish known for its long pointed bill is thought to be an indicator of rising sea temperatures.

Jen Adams, a member of the charity Manx Whale and Dolphin Watch who managed to snap a few photographs of the fish on Saturday, told Daily Mail that swordfish are incredibly rare.

“It was amazing to see and incredibly rare - something that you would never expect to see in a million years,” she told the outlet.

The giantic 10ft long fish identified scientifically as Xiphias gladius, is known for its agility in water, reaching speeds of up to 22 miles per hour.

Swordfish in British water

Swordfish are thought to use their “sword” to slash and injure prey animals, rather than to spear small fish as is often assumed.

They present no threat to humans and are listed as a near threatened species on the IUCN red list, mainly because of overfishing.

It is believed there have only been five swordfish sightings ever in the British Isles, their rarity due to the cooler waters.

However, as ocean temperatures rise as a result of climate change, marine creatures have been found to migrate to new territories, as well as shrink in size.

As well as the warmer sea, its presence could be an indication of the healthy abundance of prey fish like mackerel and herring in UK waters at the moment.

In recent years there have been increasing numbers of big game species like blue fin tuna and blue and porbeagle sharks, as well as large pods of dolphins that are thought to be attracted by the huge stocks of smaller fish.

The conservationists from Manx Whale and Dolphin Watch were on a boat carrying out a survey of the more commonly-seen mammals when they encountered the unusual shape in the water.

They noted that its dorsal and tail fin were hugely scarred, and are most likely battle scars through fighting with their prey.

Ms Adams added: “We switched the engines off so that we didn't scare it away. Then after about ten minutes it re-appeared and approached us.”

“It was three metres long and a third of that was its bill. It was huge.”

“Swordfish are off-shore oceanic species found in the north west Atlantic and the Mediterranean, not inshore UK waters.”

“I believe there have been no more than five swordfish sightings ever in the UK.”

“I have no idea what it was doing here. It baffled us.”

“It may well off gone off course in search of food, they feed on oily fish like mackerel and herring.”

“We are seeing a lot of large pods of about 200 dolphins this year and that is probably because there is a lot of food for them here. It may be the same for swordfish.”

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

How to Spot a Puppy Mill: The Ultimate Breeder Visit Checklist

An estimated two million dogs live in USDA-licensed breeding facilities. Many exist in conditions of profound neglect like the recently raided Havre de Grace operation where investigators found a mother dog nursing her puppies inches from a dead sibling in ammonia-filled air. Your dream of a healthy puppy is a revenue stream for this industry. After thorough research into documented rescue cases and consultation with veterinary professionals, I've created this forensic checklist to help you distinguish ethical breeders from puppy mills. This isn't just advice, it's a practical guide using your three most reliable diagnostic tools: sight, sound, and smell. 1. The Pre-Visit Interrogation: Demand Proof, Not Promises Scrutiny is your first filter. Ethical breeders expect it. Mills evade it. What to ask before you visit: "Provide the OFA or PennHIP registry numbers for both parents' hip and elbow scores." Why "Healthy parents" is meaningless without pro...

Rabies Still Kills in Nigeria: Why a National Pet Registration System Is Long Overdue

In 2021–2022, Nigeria reported 232 dog bite incidents, of which 53 were confirmed rabies cases, resulting in 17 deaths across 11 states; highlighting a fatality rate of nearly one in three confirmed exposures. Despite this, Nigeria remains largely reactive. Data from 2014–2021 shows 505 confirmed canine rabies cases, 338 animal deaths, and only 3,455 vaccinations administered across 457 outbreaks. This underscores a chronic gap in vaccination response, even when outbreaks occur. Rabies: Preventable, Yet Fatal Rabies is 100% fatal once symptoms appear, but entirely preventable with timely intervention. Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) can stop the virus if administered promptly. However, the cost is steep: averaging around $108 per treatment globally. In Nigeria, while exact PEP cost data is limited, rabies shots typically run between ₦3,000 and ₦7,500 per dose. Without a way to track pets, it's nearly impossible to target high-risk areas or ensure widespread vaccination coverage...

The Eco-Conscious Pet Owner’s Guide: 10 Ways to Reduce Your Pawprint

We love our pets unconditionally. But the footprint of that love: the land, water, and emissions behind their food is significant, making up 25-30% of the entire animal agriculture impact in the U.S . Understanding this impact allows us to deepen that care, making choices that honor not just their well-being, but the world we all share. Here’s how we can care for them in a way that’s also a gift to the planet. The Measurable Impact: It's More Than Just Food The environmental cost of pet ownership is a function of diet and consumption. The data paints a clear picture: The Protein Problem A 30lb dog’s annual diet can generate approximately 2,500 kg of CO2e , primarily if it's beef-based. The US pet food industry uses an area of land larger than New Mexico for meat production. The Waste Crisis US pets produce 5.1 million tons of feces annually . When disposed of in plastic bags and sent to landfills, this waste generates methane, a potent greenhouse gas. The Plastic Problem Th...