Thursday, November 15, 2007
News: Record Sightings Of Basking Shark
Sightings of Britain's biggest fish, the basking shark, have reached record levels, according to marine biologists
Last year, 2,222 of the animals were spotted - an increase of 70% from the previous 12 months.
The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) detailed the findings in its annual Shark Watch report.
"It's really encouraging and we hope it suggests the population of sharks is recovering as a result of protection," said MCS official Angus Bloomfield.
The sharks are threatened so sightings are recorded to help protect the species.
But since 1987, volunteers have been sending in pictures and details of basking sharks, most of which are seen in the South West, Scotland and the Isle of Man.
Basking sharks grow up to 36ft long and can weigh seven tonnes.
Their teeth are tiny so they do not pose a threat to humans, instead they feed on microscopic plankton which they filter from the sea.
Recent campaigns have helped give the sharks increasing levels of protection.
The species is now endangered, and a change to the law this year means it is now illegal for EU vessels to catch or disturb them.
Sadly, basking sharks are not very bright so when feeding they tend not to notice dangers like fishing lines or boats.
Although these figures are welcome news, there's still a lot the scientists don't know. This summer several sharks were tagged off the Isle of Man, because once winter begins no-one knows what happens to them.
Bizarrely, the British weather may account for the record sightings last year. When it's sunny, more people are outside to spot the sharks, and calm water makes the sharks more visible.
So with a damp, cold summer this year, Angus Bloomfield isn't hopeful the bumper crop of shark spots will continue.
He said: "It's difficult to say until the end of 2007 but I'll be very surprised if we have another increase in sightings."
Courtesy: Sky.com
Last year, 2,222 of the animals were spotted - an increase of 70% from the previous 12 months.
The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) detailed the findings in its annual Shark Watch report.
"It's really encouraging and we hope it suggests the population of sharks is recovering as a result of protection," said MCS official Angus Bloomfield.
The sharks are threatened so sightings are recorded to help protect the species.
But since 1987, volunteers have been sending in pictures and details of basking sharks, most of which are seen in the South West, Scotland and the Isle of Man.
Basking sharks grow up to 36ft long and can weigh seven tonnes.
Their teeth are tiny so they do not pose a threat to humans, instead they feed on microscopic plankton which they filter from the sea.
Recent campaigns have helped give the sharks increasing levels of protection.
The species is now endangered, and a change to the law this year means it is now illegal for EU vessels to catch or disturb them.
Sadly, basking sharks are not very bright so when feeding they tend not to notice dangers like fishing lines or boats.
Although these figures are welcome news, there's still a lot the scientists don't know. This summer several sharks were tagged off the Isle of Man, because once winter begins no-one knows what happens to them.
Bizarrely, the British weather may account for the record sightings last year. When it's sunny, more people are outside to spot the sharks, and calm water makes the sharks more visible.
So with a damp, cold summer this year, Angus Bloomfield isn't hopeful the bumper crop of shark spots will continue.
He said: "It's difficult to say until the end of 2007 but I'll be very surprised if we have another increase in sightings."
Courtesy: Sky.com
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