Survey Team Spots Basking Sharks

August 20, 2006

Release from: BBC News Online

Large numbers of basking sharks have been spotted in waters off the coast of Devon and Cornwall.

A marine wildlife aerial survey team reported the sightings during a routine search for marine wildlife.

The team of researchers from the University of Exeter's School of Biosciences counted 18 sharks, which are the second largest fish in the sea.

The creatures, which can grow to be longer than a double decker bus, appear off the South West coast every summer.

Sightings generally begin when good weather increases the surface temperature of the sea and attracts the sharks who come to feed on plankton.

Scientists say they are only just beginning to understand the movements of the sharks around the coasts and even now little is known about where they go for the rest of the year.

Numbers have steadily increased around the south west coast over the past 10 years.

The results of the team's survey will be used to encourage wildlife tourism which has also increased in popularity over recent years.