Tagging Study Reveals Basking Sharks' Journey

June 5, 2008

Release from: John Gregory
iomtoday.com.im

Basking sharks in Manx waters migrate thousands of miles across the Atlantic, a tagging study has revealed. The news has big implications for the Island's conservation responsibilities to the animal, experts believe.

The tagging study was conducted by Manx Basking Shark Watch, Marine Conservation International and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

MBSW co-ordinator Jackie Hall said: 'Tracy the Tower Insurance shark, an eight-metre-long mature female, was tagged off Peel on June 21 last year.

'She travelled nearly 9,589km and went to depths of 1,264m before her £3,000 pop-up archival transmitting (PAT) tag popped off near Newfoundland, Canada, on September 10.

'This is a truly amazing result. Previous studies indicated that our Manx basking sharks are part of an annual migration centred around the British and French coasts.

'Although scientists knew that basking sharks occur in temperate waters worldwide, this is the first tagging work to indicate that the Atlantic basking shark population is one unit.

'Genetic studies had indicated a low genetic diversity in all the basking sharks in the world. Because of this genetic work we were hoping that tagging work might confirm long-distance migration patterns in this species.

'We are under no illusions, we were very lucky to achieve this stunning finding with just three tags and less than £10,000 from our kind sponsors.'

The tagging was done from Bob Taylor's boat, Gemini, out of Port St Mary.

Dr Mauvis Gore, of Marine Conservation International, said: 'Such long-distance migrations have implications for population genetics.

'Despite protective legislation, the numbers in the northeast Atlantic may show only limited recovery if mature adults are exposed to exploitation in other oceanic regions.'

Dr Fiona Gell, the DAFF fisheries and wildlife officer, said: 'This has exciting implications for our role in the international conservation of this endangered species.

'It emphasises the need for us to collaborate with scientists and governments internationally to protect basking sharks. We are signatory to the Convention on Migratory Species and this research should really raise the profile of the need for more international measures to protect wide-ranging species.'

Tower Insurance in Douglas, the DAFF and Dennis Drummond, of the Geoff Richie Foundation, provided funding.

The endangered basking shark, Cetorinus Maximus, is the second largest shark in the world and is Britain's biggest shark species.

It can grow to 12m (40ft) long and is a harmless plankton feeder. The study will be published in the scientific journal Biology Letters.

For more information visit www.manxbaskingsharkwatch.com

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The first basking shark found in Manx waters this year was spotted last month off Peel.

As the season starts, the Manx Basking Shark Watch urgently needs volunteers to help with reports coming into its website during June, July and August.

Just one evening a week would be appreciated and every volunteer receives full training.

For more information contact Jackie Hall on Inter.Tech@btinternet.com

If anyone spots a basking shark they should report it to www.manxbaskingsharkwatch.com or call 801345.

If anyone finds a dead basking shark they should report it to the wildlife and conservation division of DAFF on 843109.

Basking sharks are protected under Manx law from capture, injury and some forms of disturbance. Any harassment should be reported to the wildlife and conservation division of DAFF, on 843109 during office hours, or the police, on 631212, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.