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 A Basking Shark
The Wildlife Trusts is launching a study of basking sharks today. The UK-wide survey for basking sharks is launched on the 4th July and aims to uncover the secret lives of the largest shark to be found in UK waters.
THE VOYAGE:
The survey will be carried out by crew of conservationists from The Wildlife Trust and other volunteers. They will journey around the coast, including Devon, Cornwall, South Wales, North Wales, Ireland, and the Western Isles of Scotland UK on a 39ft sailing yacht.
PROJECT AIMS:
The conservationists hope to build our knowledge and understanding of the basking shark in order to ensure its future safety by monitoring populations, identifying its favoured locations, studying individual species, examining behaviour and recording their movement.
Little is known about the basking shark's activities, which makes effective conservation very difficult. Without accurate population numbers and an awareness of their behaviour, it is difficult to help this internationally endangered species and to ensure that it is safe from harm during its time in UK waters.
FALLING NUMBERS:
Basking shark populations in the UK have been decimated in the past century by over-hunting - from which they have still not recovered. It is believed that the basking shark numbers are now only a fraction of what they used to be.Ìý The shark's main attraction now lies in its highly valued gigantic dorsal fin, which is a delicacy in the Far East. Whilst hunting is now banned, the basking shark is still at risk from hunting and a variety of other threats, including collisions with boats, entanglement in fishing nets and changes in sea temperature due to climate change.
WHERE THE SURVEY IS TAKING PLACE:
Forever Changes, the 39ft sailing yacht, and its skipper Colin Speedie will be undertaking the following surveys:
July Survey: The South West - Dorset, Devon and Cornwall -- Survey off the Coast of Wales and Ireland - Cardiff / Milford Haven/ Co Down/ Bangor / N. Ireland and Co Antrim.
August - September : Survey off the coast of Scotland - Firth of Clyde/ Troon/ Oban/ Mallaig/ Hebrides.
BASKING SHARK FACTS:
Measuring anything up to 12 metres long, and weighing up to 7 tonnes The shark feeds on plankton, filtering 1,000 to 2,000 cubic metres (equivalent to two swimming pools) of seawater per hour.Ìý The basker isÌýthe second largest shark in the sea ( after the tropical Whale Shark).Ìý It has tiny teeth and is harmless to man. It can grows to a length of 12m (40ft) and weighs up to 7 tonnes.ÌýThey Swim slowly near the surface in fine weather with dorsal and tail fins showing. Feeding on plankton, filtering 1,000-2,000 cubic metres of seawater per hours through its gill rakers. They give birth to a small number of gigantic young 1.5-2m long after a pregnancy of over two years.Ìý One surprising fact, is that sometimes, for unknown reasons, the basking shark leaps clear out of the water..
HOW LISTENERS CAN GET INVOLVED:
People who would like to help the basking shark survey can join in the 'Basking Shark Sighting Scheme' by reporting sightings of basking sharks, and other marine animals, off the coast throughout the year. If you have a good view of the sea from your house or holiday home or they walk regularly along the coast, all records will help. They can contact The Wildlife Trusts on 0870 0367711 or visit www.wildlifetrusts.org.
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