A fisherman off the coast of Cornwall has reeled in one of the ocean’s most unusual catches — a Lego shark lost at sea nearly three decades ago.
Richard West, a fisherman based in Penzance, made the extraordinary discovery in August 2024 while hauling his nets about 20 miles (32km) south of the town.
The small grey shark, made of plastic, was part of a famous maritime incident from 1997, when 62 containers carrying 4.75 million Lego pieces were swept from the Tokio Express cargo ship near Land’s End.
Among the items lost to the sea were 51,800 Lego sharks, which have since become symbols of ocean pollution and fascination for beachcombers worldwide.
Mr West’s find is the first recorded shark recovered from the incident, according to the Lego Lost At Sea project, a group documenting discoveries linked to the cargo spill.
“It’s incredible to think this little shark has been drifting out there all these years,” Mr West said. “Even if it only makes £10, I’ll be happy — I can tell my skipper it’s the most expensive fish we’ve ever caught, gram for gram.”
The toy will go under the hammer on 30 October with Plymouth-based auctioneer Anthony Eldred, who called it “almost impossible” to put a value on such a rare item. He expects bids between £50 and £100 but admits that a bidding war among collectors could push the price higher.
“This is certainly unique,” Eldred said. “There’s a great story behind it, and if more than one person gets excited, it could go for much more.”
Mr West plans to donate all proceeds from the sale to two charities close to his heart — Cancer Research UK and Fishermen’s Mission.
“I lost one of my best friends to cancer, and another is fighting it now,” he explained. “Cancer Research UK does vital work for everyone, and Fishermen’s Mission has always been an amazing lifeline for people like us.”
Although he will be out at sea when the auction takes place, Mr West says he’s thrilled that his unusual find could help raise awareness and funds for causes that matter deeply to him.
The Lego Lost At Sea project continues to track pieces from the Tokio Express spill, which remain scattered across beaches and seabeds around the world. For many, this small grey shark is more than just a toy—it’s a symbol of the ocean’s enduring mysteries and humanity’s connection to it.
