Basking sharks move north – Fishupdate.com

Basking sharks move north Published:  17 June, 2005

Britain’s biggest fish, the basking shark, appears to be moving north into Scottish waters and abandoning its usual haunt in south-west England.

Between 1987 and 2004, the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) Basking Shark Watch received 6,511 reports on sightings of sharks from divers, fishermen, sailors and coastal walkers.

The MCS Basking Shark Watch report shows that sightings of basking sharks are up 65% off the Scottish coast since 2001, but down 66% in south-west England, the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) said.

MCS scientists believe the sharks, which can grow to 12m, are following plankton, their main food, northwards in a search for cooler waters, probably as a result of global warming.

Dr Jean-Luc Solandt, MCS biodiversity policy officer, said the study had provided exciting insights into shark movement.

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