A 300-pound tiger shark captured near the Isle of Youth: "It will be sold to the people."

A three-meter long tiger shark weighing approximately 300 pounds was recently captured in waters southeast of the Isle of Youth by the crew of the shrimp boat Balandro, part of the fishing and industrial fleet in the region.

Leonel Leal Pantoja, the captain of the boat, informed Radio Caribe that the specimen was discovered when the crew noticed unusual movements inside the cage used for lobster trapping.

"I immediately went to see what was happening, and to everyone's surprise, I found it was a huge fish," he remarked.

In response to the unexpected capture, the fishermen carefully implemented the necessary safety measures to bring the shark aboard and subsequently transport it to the fishing company, where it will be processed and sold to the community.

The young captain of the Balandro stated that there are no recent records in the region of a tiger shark of that size, which has caught the attention of local fishermen.

According to consulted bibliographic references, the tiger shark is known for its aggressive nature toward humans and typically resides in the open waters of the Gulf. The presence of this species in shallower waters near the territory is inexplicable to experts.

The tiger shark, known for its aggressive nature and preference for the open waters of the Gulf, surprised experts by appearing in shallower waters close to the shore, reported Radio Caribe.

Recently, a group of beachgoers enjoying their time at one of the beaches in Cayo Santa María, located in the northern part of Villa Clara province, experienced moments of astonishment and caution when several sharks were spotted near the shore.

“Sharks in Cayo Santa María, Cuba, raise alarms and force tourists to leave the beach,” shared journalist Mario Vallejo, alongside a video showing the shark swimming close to the shore.

A similar situation was experienced by a young Cuban woman at Varadero beach. While she was enjoying a peaceful morning by the sea, someone from the shore called out to her to get out of the water after spotting what appeared to be a shark in the distance.

This is about the TikToker Sandra Saure (@sandra_saure) who was recording videos with her phone when she suddenly experienced a major scare.

Sandra claims that she saw a shark in Varadero, but the locals have explained to her that it is much more likely she actually saw a dolphin or a porpoise.

However, last April, a hammerhead shark, also known as a great hammerhead, attacked the cork raft of some Cuban fishermen near the Havana coast.

"What a crazy scene! Look at how it's biting the cork. Here it comes again! It’s not going to knock us over, but... what a shark. These are anecdotes that only we experience," says one of the fishermen involved in the surprising encounter at sea.

Frequently Asked Questions about Shark Catching and Sightings in Cuba