Basking Shark Project The Basking Shark Project is a great way for you to get involved with shark conservation. You can help us learn more about these gentle giants by being on the look-out for them during May-October (Basking Shark Season). If you spot a Basking Shark please record your sighting, answering as many of our questions as you can. And if you have a photo – please submit this too! That way we can verify your record. The more we know about Basking Sharks the more informed conservation action can be. RECORD YOUR BASKING SHARK SIGHTING Via App Via Website Click here to download the poster and display it yourself! However, if encounter one of these gentle giants please make sure to follow the Basking Shark Code of Conduct Today, Basking Sharks are one of the most widely protected and managed sharks in UK and EU waters (see threats and conservation). But there is still more to learn, and monitoring their movements can provide valuable information. During Basking Shark season these sharks can be seen at the surface in certain coastal areas. This provides us with a fantastic opportunity to learn more about these evasive animals. To increase your chances of seeing a Basking Shark, you can visit these well-known hot-spots: · Hebrides (Skye and Mull) · Isle of Man · Ireland (Malin Head) · Southwest England (Devon & Cornwall) This sightings data is then made available to researchers and other conservation organisations. Working together with the aim of furthering Basking Shark conservation. Basking Shark Reports Basking Shark Report 2023 Basking Shark Report 2022 Basking Shark Report 2020 Photo-ID Database Photo-identification is a powerful and non-invasive field technique. Used to study animals in their natural environment. In the early 2000’s we worked with research groups around the British Isles and the Northeast Atlantic to create a photo-identification database. Individual Basking Sharks can be identified by their unique fin markings. These can be natural, such as pigmentation marks. Or acquired, such as scars caused by parasites, or injuries from boats and fishing nets. With good quality photographs, individual sharks can be recognised on re-sighting and matched in the photo-ID database. This enables us to find out more about their movements and estimate population size. This is especially important for vulnerable and highly migratory species like the Basking Shark. Capturing effective photo identification images is challenging. If you do get a high-quality image, these fin-id images can be uploaded along with your sighting. If you get a shot, please include it when you submit your sighting! To find out more about Basking Sharks and how you can get involved Click Here Banner image © Charles Hood Manage Cookie Preferences