A fisherman ended up being treated in hospital and released following an unusual incident off Fogo Island yesterday.

The man, who was involved in the cod fishery, was trying to free a shark from his gear when the fish bit him on the arm.

He required medical treatment as a result.

Small sharks, like porbeagles, tend to be attracted to cod fishing activity, and both harvesters and people involved in the recreational fishery have been known to have encounters with them, either on the line, or grabbing a fish for an easy meal.

Porbeagles in particular are known as cod-snacking sharks and they’re opportunists. While largely harmless, they are strong and have incredibly sharp teeth.