A FISHERMAN who had a close run-in with the mysterious Boscombe ‘sea creature’ says he now wants to find it; but does not want to see any harm come to it.

Darron Tapper, 54, was out fishing when something stole his rod and reel, nearly capsizing his kayak in the process at lunchtime on August 4.

The incident happened the same day Boscombe beach was cleared after the RNLI spotted ‘large marine life'.

Read more: Boscombe 'sea creature': fisherman's kayak almost capsized

Mr Tapper said that he thinks it “definitely” was a shark and now he wants to find it.

He said: “My brother and I are going to go out and anchor just off the reef with lots of mackerel to get the shark.

“I want to catch the shark that nearly capsized me, not just a shark.”

The 54-year-old said it is all in good gest and he will put it back in the sea because he only wants to cross paths again.

Read more: Sharks spotted by paddleboarders in sea off Bournemouth

The Pokesdown resident believes the reason the large sea creature was reported as coming in so close is because there is so little mackerel around this year.

He said: “It was definitely a shark, as a fisherman here 13 years it definitely was a surprise to me at the time.

“We share the sea with nature, I see dolphins and seals from all around Mudeford, so why would it be so shocking to have sharks swimming in close proximity to here?”

Mr Tapper said that a shark in the waters off would not scare him.

Read more: Boscombe beach: 'sea creature' spotted in water

He added: “I am more intrigued than anything.

“I'm not worried if there is a shark, the only bad thing is it will scare the local fish population.”

Seeking to capitalise on the reported sightings he said that it could be a boost to the area by introducing a new variety of visitors.

"It could generate more tourism of a different kind, shark watching," Mr Tapper said.

Mr Tapper said he intends to go out this weekend to look for sharks off the coast of Dorset.