Beachgoers were horrified when they discovered the bodies of sharks scattered on the beach
Beachgoers were horrified when they discovered the bodies of sharks scattered on the beach
More than 50 sharks were found washed up dead on one of Britain's favourite beaches on the same day - and its feared fishermen are responsible.

Environment chiefs have launched an investigation into how the sharks died after beach-goers made the shocking discovery on the 1.5mile beach at Rhossili, South Wales on Sunday evening.

It's feared trawlermen may have dumped the sharks after they got snared in a fishing vessel's nets. One of the sharks had fishing wire running through it and fishing gear was found nearby its carcass.

The gruesome discovery comes days after the carcass of a mysterious decomposed alien-like creature was discovered washed up on the same beach by a dog walker.

Laura Campbell, 24, made the discovery while walking with her boyfriend on the beach voted as Britain's best.

She said: 'We were on a walk going down the beach when we started to see sharks that looked like they had been washed up on the shore.

'We carried on walking and saw more sharks every metre or so. I think there were more than 50 in total.

'It was so shocking. I love sharks and I've been scuba diving before to see them.

'I was put through to Natural Resources Wales when I called to report it who said they would investigate it.'

One of the sharks found on the beach
© Wales News ServiceOne of the sharks found on the beach
Laura, from Berkshire, believes the dead sharks are the 'bycatch' from a trawler boat.

She said: 'One of the sharks had a piece of fishing wire going through it and fishing gear had been left on the ground.

'It looked like some of it had been there for a while and had been washed up in the tide.

'There's no reason for them to be there. We've been camping around here this weekend and there haven't been any storms which is why I think it's the result of bottom trawling.'

A spokeswoman for Natural Resources Wales confirmed they were aware of the incident but had passed it on to Swansea Council to investigate.

Marine boffins have been unable to identify the 'alien-like creature' found on the beach
Marine boffins have been unable to identify the 'alien-like creature' found on the beach
Marine boffins have been left scratching their heads over the identity of five foot long mysterious creature found on the beach last week. They have suggested that it could be a whale or a dolphin.

Rhossili was last year voted the best beach in Europe by Suitcase magazine - ahead of beaches in Spain, Greece, Italy and France.

The stunning shoreline at Rhossili sits within the first designated 'Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty' to be given in the UK.

The beautiful beach at Rhossili was voted the best in Europe by Suitcase magazine last year
The beautiful beach at Rhossili was voted the best in Europe by Suitcase magazine last year