Does the Megalodon still exist? Nope… just mackerel. Image: Atlantic Shark Institute
Researchers studying sharks in the northwest Atlantic had a bit of a heart-stopping moment recently. They saw what appeared to be an enormous shark on their fish finder.
Estimating it to be about 50 feet long and weighing up to 40 tons, they were baffled — for a few minutes, at least. “Does the Meg exist?” The Atlantic Shark Institute asked in a social media post. “On a recent shark research trip, we were all amused to see this shape appear on our fish finder for several minutes.”
As they watched, however, the “shark” shifted shape. As it turned out, it was merely a large school of mackerel that had inadvertently taken a shape resembling the extinct megalodon.
“We waited for one of the rods to go off,” the Atlantic Shark Institute continued.”However, much to our disappointment, the shape started to transition into a large school of Atlantic mackerel that hung around the boat for about 15 minutes.”
