A GIANT spine found washed up on a beach in Bournemouth has been identified as belonging to the largest species of shark seen in UK waters.

On Tuesday, March 1, Ali Wood was walking when she noticed something unusual on the promenade near Fisherman’s Walk in Southbourne.

She said: “The promenade was covered in sand and I was going slowly as I had to push my bike. I smelt it before I saw it – the smell of rotting fish. However, what I saw was really strange. It looked to be half a metre long at least, possibly more, and I thought it was plastic, only it looked like a very long spine.

Bournemouth Echo: Shark spine discovered by Fisherman's Wharf, Southbourne. Picture: Ali WoodShark spine discovered by Fisherman's Wharf, Southbourne. Picture: Ali Wood

“There were bits of flesh hanging off, which is why I was sure it was real. It was very round and smooth, and some bits – that looked like cartilage – were protruding from a row of joined-up discs each larger than a 50p coin.”

After taking the grisly 4ft spine home and sending photos to the Shark Trust, experts judged it to belong to the UK’s largest shark species, the basking shark.

Bournemouth Echo: Ali Wood with the basking shark spine she discovered by Fisherman's Wharf, SouthbourneAli Wood with the basking shark spine she discovered by Fisherman's Wharf, Southbourne

Graphic image contained below.

Paul Cox, managing director of the Shark Trust, said: “It looks like it’s most likely a part of a basking shark vertebral column (backbone), probably the rear section. It would appear that the flesh has been scavenged and the spine has broken up and probably been brought ashore by the recent storms. It’s unusual but not unheard of… a good find.”

The Echo showed Ali’s find to the Dorset Wildlife Trust. Coastal centres manager Marc Kativu-Smith said: “We certainly have lots of sharks in Dorset including thresher, blue and porbeagle. Finding a relatively intact shark spine is pretty rare because the skeleton is made of cartilage, which is softer than bone, and doesn’t stay intact for long.

Bournemouth Echo: Basking shark spine discovered by Fisherman's Wharf, Southbourne. Picture: Ali WoodBasking shark spine discovered by Fisherman's Wharf, Southbourne. Picture: Ali Wood

“Dorset Wildlife Trust is always interested to hear about these kinds of exciting marine finds.”

Basking sharks can grow to 12m and visit UK waters each year between May and October. They are harmless to humans and are the second-largest living shark, after the whale shark, in the world.