Are there Sharks in the Azov Sea?
Yes, there are indeed sharks in the Azov Sea, one of the varieties of shark lives in this sea - Black Sea katran (lat. Squalus acanthias ponticus), more widespread in the Black Sea. More precisely, the katran lives mainly in the Black Sea, but often swims into the Azov Sea through the Kerch Strait. Despite the fact that the Black Sea katran is indeed a shark, it does not pose a danger to tourists and vacationers, although compared to other inhabitants of the Azov Sea, the katran is quite impressive in size.
Black Sea Katran
The Black Sea katran is one of the subspecies of the katran, a small shark that lives around the world in many seas and oceans. The Black Sea katran lives in the Black and Azov Seas, usually growing up to one and a half, maximum up to two meters in length, while gaining a weight of about fifteen kilograms. For the Azov Sea, apart from sturgeon fish, this is really a giant, but compared to other sharks, the katran is nothing special. Katran, like other sharks, is a predator and feeds mainly on fish and other inhabitants of the Black and Azov Seas, sometimes attacking even dolphins, but it does not pose a danger to humans.
What Does the Katran Shark Eat?
The main food product of the katran is the Black Sea anchovy, but, in addition to the anchovy, this shark eats many more species of fish from the Black and Azov Seas. The diet of the Black Sea katran includes sprat, gobies, horse mackerel, whiting, smarida, herring, mullet and other types of fish. In addition to fish, the katran shark eats clams and crabs. In other words, the katran feeds on almost all fish, molluscs and crustaceans that live in the Black and Azov Seas.
Are the Sharks of the Azov Sea Dangerous for Vacationers?
No, no, and again no - the only shark of the Azov Sea prefers to eat fish, shellfish, crabs and other inhabitants of the Black and Azov Seas. Tourists and vacationers are not included in the diet of this shark, people are not interested in the katran, this shark rather avoids people than pays attention to them. Therefore, resting on the Azov Sea, you can definitely not be afraid of sharks.