A massive shark, estimated to be around 35 feet in length, was spotted on camera near the British Isles. The impressive marine creature was seen swimming alongside other sharks close to Arranmore Island, situated off the west coast of County Donegal, Ireland.
Despite its intimidating appearance and the scientific name Cetorhinus maximus, which translates to “great-nosed sea monster,” the basking shark is known to be a gentle giant that does not pose any danger to humans. Initially known as Squalus maximus in the 18th century for its size, it is now acknowledged as the second-largest fish globally, with the whale shark being the only species larger. The largest documented basking shark reached slightly over 40 feet in length.
Captain John Paul Baska from Northwest Charters encountered the shark while out at sea with a family. Describing the sighting, he mentioned, “It was sizable, maybe 35 feet long. I have seen larger ones before. However, the family of five onboard the charter were impressed. There was an abundance of plankton for the sharks to feed on, and great fishing opportunities as well.”
Basking sharks are known to swim slowly near the water’s surface with their mouths wide open, filtering tiny organisms like plankton for food. These sharks have been a common sight in the waters off Britain and Ireland, given their traditional habitat in the north-east Atlantic. Over the 20th century, they were extensively hunted for their meat and liver oil.
Historical records from Visit Carndonagh mention the first documented basking shark fishery dating back to County Donegal in 1746. The practice of hunting basking sharks off Donegal continued until 2006. Presently, the species is classified as endangered in the North Atlantic by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
In the UK, basking sharks are safeguarded under various conservation acts, including the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985, and the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004. These laws prohibit the intentional harming or disturbance of basking sharks in British waters, with potential offenders facing up to six months of imprisonment and substantial fines.
