Actor Julian Lewis Jones involved in rare mako shark catch

Welsh actor Julian Lewis Jones was part of an angling team involved in what's said to be the first-ever mako shark capture in Wales.

The sleek predator measured six feet and was estimated to weigh about 200 pounds before it was set free.

"It was around 40 minutes before we had him on the side of the boat and he went a bit ballistic and you can't control it--it's a wild animal, it's like trying to control a rhino," Jones told the BBC.

It was caught about 30 miles off the Pembrokeshire coast, near Milford Haven.

"We saw this flash that whizzed past the boat--it was a big, white belly and it went so, so fast," Jones said. "We all looked at each other and said, 'That's a mako,' and we knew the importance of it. This is something that you dream of."

Jones is one of the stars of the TV sitcom, "Stella," and has appeared in British shows such as "Where the Heart Is," and "Caerdydd."

In 2009 he starred in Clint Eastwood's drama, "Invictus."

According to the BBC report, this is the first catch of a mako shark in U.K. waters in 42 years.

Makos are the world's fastest sharks, capable of swimming in bursts of 30 m.p.h. And, as you can see in the photo, they boast lots of exceptionally sharp teeth.

--Pete Thomas

Photos courtesy of Julian Lewis Jones

Comments

[Jeff Perry]

Curious if you could provide me one good reason not to film this action, photograph this majestic shark and let it go? Does it not serve the same purpose? Possibly even letting future customers know what it is like to catch a large fish. You get the "thrill" of the catch and you let the creature go? Killing sharks for the selfish, human pleasure of a photo opportunity is absurd to me. Maybe it's to promote your tactical fishing skills which could be done in a number of other ways. Just curious, one good reason please

[Palazzo]

Thanks for adding your name to the RETARDED MORONS HALL OF FAME for killing such an amazing cretaure.