Scientists and conservationists from the UK, Isle of Man and France are meeting today to discuss the future of Europe’s largest fish, the basking shark. The recent capture of a seven-metre basking shark in Portugal has highlighted the continuing threat to this globally endangered species.
Today’s meeting in Plymouth is organised by the joint lead partners for the UK Species Action Plan for basking sharks: the Shark Trust, the Marine Conservation Society and The Wildlife Trusts. Ali Hood, Director of Conservation for the Shark Trust said: “This is an important opportunity to share the latest scientific findings and co-ordinate our efforts to conserve basking sharks in UK and international waters.â€
Basking sharks are regular summer visitors to the shores of the UK. Sometimes reaching over ten metres in length and up to seven tonnes in weight, they are the largest wild animal found regularly in Britain’s waters. Despite their massive size, these are gentle giants which pose no direct threat to humans. In fact, basking sharks have only minute teeth, and live on tiny plankton filtered by their gills from the vast quantities of sea water passing through their enormous mouths.
In spite of protection under UK and international law, this species is still vulnerable to a number of threats. In some parts of the world the basking shark is hunted for its valuable fins, while throughout its range it is prone to incidental capture (‘bycatch’) in fishing gear. Joan Edwards, Head of Marine Policy at The Wildlife Trusts, commented: “Last week’s bycatch of a basking shark in Portugal hit the headlines worldwide, accompanied by shocking photographs and video footage. Unfortunately this is far from an isolated incident, and incidental capture is a serious and ongoing threat to the basking shark’s survival. â€
Recent studies have demonstrated that basking sharks make long-distance international migrations throughout the north-east Atlantic, in pursuit of their plankton prey, swimming at a considerable depth underwater. Jean-Luc Solandt, Biodiversity Policy Officer at the Marine Conservation Society said: “This international migration makes it even more important that European states work together to collect information and develop conservation measures to protect the sharks. Unilateral measures will not be enough.â€
The experts at today’s meeting will be reviewing recent scientific research and increased public awareness of the species to take forward conservation measures into international waters over the next three years. This will include measures that could potentially be introduced through the UK’s forthcoming Marine Bill.
