Photo: Mystery ancient sea creature stalks fish to their death off coast of Devon

A LOCH NESS type creature with a long neck and small head has been snapped stalking a shoal of fish – just yards off the British coast. The fish were so terrified they beached themselves just seconds later. The strange Plesiosaur-like creature was spotted just 30 yards off the Devon coast by locals who reported a sighting of what they first thought was a turtle.

But pictures taken by one of the baffled witnesses reveal its neck is far too long for any known sea turtle. Experts are scratching their heads and are totally baffled by the sighting.

Gill Pearce photographed the creature following a shoal of fish at Saltern Cove in Paignton, Devon, on July 27. She at first thought it was a large sea turtle but baffled experts say it doesn’t fit the description because the greenish- brown beast with a small reptile head has too long a neck.

Mrs Pearce reported her sighting to the Marine Conservation Society where it was studied by sea life experts. “Gill Pearce spotted the creature about 20 metres from the bay at Saltern Cove, near Goodrington,” said Clare Fischer from the MCS.

“It was observed at about 15.30 on 27 July but by the time she had got her camera it had moved further out. “She spotted it following a shoal of fish which beached themselves in Saltern Cove.

“The creature remained in the sea, then went out again and followed the shoal – this indicates it’s not a turtle as they only eat jellyfish. “We would love to know if other people have seen anything like this in the same area and can help clear up the mystery.”

Some people think the sea sighting could be linked to that of a sperm whale sighted off south Devon recently but Clare thinks not. “They [sperm whales] wouldn’t come that close inshore and the reptilian-like head counts that out – at least that’s what the experts are saying!” Continue reading and pictures, thisisplymouth.co.uk