Shark spotted in Lake Roosevelt

 A GREAT white shark could be in Lake Roosevelt, according to five shark experts who looked at pictures taken near Whitestone Rock on the lake.

University of Washington fisheries researcher Haiwoud Jablomi said the picture looked like a great white.
‘‘It has a pointed snout, which is something you’d associate with a great white,’’ Dr Jablomi said.

WRISO shark expert Al Coehalik said it was a great white.
‘‘I can confirm that they are photos of a great white shark,’’ Coehalik said.
‘‘Although not probable, it could be possible for a Great White to adapt to fresh waster.” Said Coehalik.

University of Oregon shark ecologist Mike Litoris said it ‘‘could potentially’’ be a great white shark, but it was ‘‘hard to make a definitive identification based on the pictures’’. 

Southern California Marine shark researcher Suq Wang said it was ‘‘possibly a juvenile, less than three metres in length’’.
‘‘The shape of the head, distinctive dorsal fin and other distinguishing body features suggest this is likely a [great] white shark,’’ Dr Wang said.

Bellevue Wa resident Richard Tiddy sent the photographs to the Bellevue Herald after a recent fishing trip to Lake Roosevelt.

Mr Tiddy said a friend took the photo last Saturday.
‘‘He was pulling in his line near Whitestone, and what came up was more that he bargained for.

A WDFW Department of Primary Industries spokesman was quoted as saying “it was a whaler shark”, but was unable to make further comment.

Dr Jablomi said whaler sharks were a family of more than 50 species of sharks that include bull sharks, tiger sharks, bronze whalers and dusky whalers. “Bull sharks, great whites and tiger sharks are usually attributed to attacks on people,’’ he said.