Isle of Man basking shark sightings 'lowest ever'

Basking shark sightings in Manx waters are the "lowest they've ever been" according to the Manx Basking Shark Watch (MBSW).

Marine biologist Jackie Hall says the sightings are the lowest recorded since the MBSW was established in 2005.

So far this year, 41 sightings have been recorded, compared with more than 800 on a busy year.

According to her, this is caused by the lack of zooplankton and to the higher temperature of water, even in Spring.

The basking shark Cetorhinus maximus, is the second largest fish in the world. They may reach 10m in length but the biggest ones we see in Manx waters are normally 8m long. In the past they were said to reach much larger sizes, maybe over 12m long. They are listed as endangered on the IUCN red list. Some genetic work indicates that there may only be 8200 breeding females left in the whole world. They are protected from being hunted or harassed in the Isle of Man and in many, but not all, parts of the world. (from http://www.manxbaskingsharkwatch.com/)

The basking shark is a passive feeder, filtering zooplankton, small fish, and invertebrates from up to 2,000 short tons (1,800 t) of water per hour. They feed at or close to the surface with their mouths wide open and gill rakers erect. Unlike the megamouth shark and whale shark, the basking shark does not appear to actively seek quarry, but it does possess large olfactory bulbs that may guide it. It relies only on the water it pushes through its gills by swimming; the megamouth shark and whale shark can suck or pump water through their gills.( from Wikipedia)