A snorkeler spotted a 9ft blue shark off the British coast with a huge fishing hook stuck in its cheek.
Martin Yelland, 38, was snorkelling 25 miles off the coast of Penzance, Cornwall, when he encountered the blue shark.
The postie was delighted to spot the predator, but upset to see it had been snared by a huge lure, left sticking out its face.
Father-of-two Martin, from St Erth, Cornwall, said: "When I first saw the blue shark, I was totally buzzing.
Snorkeler encounters nine-foot shark off the coast and swims with it for hour
"I've taken photos of wildlife for five years now, but there is something quite special about seeing a large shark up close.
"I was using a fish-eye lens to take the photos with, so I needed the shark close to fill the image, which it happily obliged with.
"It is the second time I've seen blue sharks now, as I've done two trips on the boat from Penzance.
Snorkeler encounters nine-foot shark off the coast and swims with it for hour
"It was sad seeing the hook in her face, and it brings to light how methods of fishing need to change.
"I surf as well, so pollution and marine litter is something that needs urgently addressing."
He swam with the shark for about an hour before heading back to shore last week.
Snorkeler encounters nine-foot shark off the coast and swims with it for hour
Blue sharks can grow up to 13ft and during the summer can appear in the seas around Britain as part of their highly migratory lifestyle.
This also puts them at risk of injury or entanglement from fishing waste.
Brits don't need to fear these creatures as there has not been a documented unprovoked shark attack in British waters since 1847.
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