A FISHERMAN has set a new record in the world of shark fishing, reeling in a thresher shark weighing a staggering 271lbs - potentially the biggest to ever be fished out of Welsh waters.

Taking more than five hours to reel in the catch of the day, angler 'Dai Pig' - from Bridgend - landed the massive shark during a trip fishing off the coast of Milford Haven, with Cardiff-based Phat Cat Charters.

The catch beats the previous record by 18lbs.

Craig Deans, of Phat Cat Charters, used a trusted formula of measuring the length and girth of the fish to calculate its weight, before taking a photograph recording the mammoth catch and then returning the shark back to the sea unharmed.

Commenting on his huge catch, Dai said: “I couldn’t believe it when I was told the shark was the biggest caught in Welsh waters.

"It certainly didn’t make it easy for me, taking over five hours to reel it in, I was really tired by the end – but it was all worth it!”

Mr Deans added: “It’s been a good week for Welsh anglers, with the record being broken and topped again in the space of three days.

"Wales really is becoming the hot spot for shark fishing, standing up to tough competition from other parts of Europe and this latest catch proves just that!”

Mr Deans said the end of commercial longline fishing of porbeagle sharks had been great news for the eco system, and resulted in multiplying shark numbers.

"Milford is now the best fishing ground for sharks in Europe, without a shadow of a doubt," he said.

"And that's great news for sharks, and for tourism in Milford Haven."