Dead pufferfish found washed up on Knoll Beach, Studland, Dorset

Mixed · 2A dead pufferfish was found washed up on the sand at Knoll Beach, Studland, Dorset, by free diver Owen Booty, who runs the company Freedive Life. 1 2 Mixed · 2The Daily Mail said the fish measured around 17 inches (43.1cm) long and was fully inflated. Booty first mistook it for a small marker buoy, according to the Mail, while Metro said he thought it was a plastic bag. 1 2 Mixed · 2Booty said he had met pufferfish while diving abroad and had a good idea what it was. He sent photographs to Dorset Wildlife Trust and to a friend who is a marine biologist for confirmation. 1 2

Mixed · 2A Dorset Wildlife Trust spokesperson said the fish are usually found in open water in the warmer parts of the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific oceans. They said they are a rare sight in the UK but do turn up occasionally. The charity advised people not to handle any pufferfish they find and to report them to it. 1 2 Mixed · 2Both outlets say it is thought the fish was blown ashore by recent storms, which the Mail names as Storms Austen and Boalo and Metro as Austen and Boelo. This is presented as a belief, not a confirmed cause. 1 2 Mixed · 2Both describe pufferfish as dangerous to humans. They say death can follow if their hidden sharp spines pierce the skin and toxin enters the bloodstream, or if poorly prepared pufferfish meat is eaten. 1 2