Hotspots for basking sharks!
The second largest fish in the sea, the magnificent basking shark is found around the Northern Ireland coastline. These animals filter an Olympic swimming pool of water every hour to sieve out their small planktonic animal prey (zooplankton).
Basking sharks are thought to have declined by 95% or more from historic levels. They are still under threat in UK waters as they are slow growing and vulnerable, and at risk from collisions with boats and entanglement in fishing nets.
At the end of last year, the report ‘Basking shark hotspots in the UK: Results from The Wildlife Trusts’ basking shark survey’ was launched. This report highlighted that there are hotspots for this species all around the UK, including Northern Ireland.
This project was generously funded by the NIEA and Natural England with the support of additional organisations.
Hotspots for basking sharks around the UK include the South West of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The 2004 Ulster Wildlife Trust survey report, generously funded by NIEA, identified local hotspots in the zone between Strangford Lough and the Copeland Islands, Black Head out to the Maidens plateau (recorded in 2002), Torr Head around Fair Head as far as Sheep Island and the area around the Skerries.
The Ulster Wildlife Trust looks forward to this species being added to the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order (1985) following its review and the consideration of greater protection for areas identified as hotspots for this iconic species.
The Ulster Wildlife Trust would like to take the opportunity to thank all those that took part in the basking shark surveys around Northern Ireland between 2002 and 2004.
For more information and to download the Scottish report please click here.
For a factsheet on basking sharks click here.
