Dogfish sharks and smooth-hounds found on Norfolk beaches

Dogfish and smooth-hounds, both part of families of sharks, have been spotted along the coast including in Happisburgh and Sea Palling. 

Amanda Garrard has seen the sea creatures numerous times in the past month while on walks with her children.  

A smooth-hound shark was found by Amanda while walking on the beach. (Image: Amanda Garrard)

She said: "I saw the fish at Walcott, Overstrand and Happisburgh and I've started seeing them quite a lot now. 

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"They all look like they have hook marks in their mouth and chunks bit out of them, so we assumed it may be fishermen or seals." 

Another smooth-hound shark that was found by Amanda on her walk. (Image: Amanda Garrard)

Penel Malby has also spotted the fish and has even returned some to the water after finding they were alive. 

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"I was at Sea Palling beach when I noticed one,” she said. “They're quite big and we were trying to keep the dogs away while we put them back in the sea. 

One of the sharks were spotted at Happisburgh beach in north Norfolk. (Image: (c) copyright citizenside.com)

"If they're alive, people should put them back and look carefully for movement - if they're still pink it means they still have blood flow." 

A spokeswoman for the eastern branch of the Environment Agency said the sightings are most likely to be fishing-related mortalities. 

She added: "Dogfish species and smooth-hound species move inshore in large numbers at this time of year to feed and are more susceptible to being caught."