Basking Sharks Seen In L.I. Waters
June 30, 2004
Release from: Erin Carpenter
Suffolk Life
They're big, they're scary-looking and they've been seen swimming close to our shores, but they are harmless to humans. What are these creatures lurking just beneath the surface of Long Island's waters? They go by the name of basking sharks ... and they are more afraid of you than you are of them.
Lately, there have been sightings of these large sea creatures in various areas of Suffolk County, specifically on the South Shore near Southampton Village. Officials report that while these animals may look like something out of a horror story, there is no need to panic as they are generally not interested in harming people.
"These basking sharks are a migratory species," said Joe Yaiullo, curator and co-founder of the Atlantis Marine World Aquarium, located in Riverhead. "They go where the food goes; that's why they've been so close to our shores. Currents are taking [their food supplies] closer to land. They are just following."
So if these sharks don't crave humans for lunch, what do they eat? Yaiullo explained that the sharks are basically "water filters," using their large gills to collect various plants and small animal life from the ocean.
"It's actually a good thing we've been seeing [an increase in basking sharks]," continued Yaiullo. "They have been fished to the point of endangerment." Yaiullo said that the sharks are harvested by humans mainly for their meat, but also for the oils that are found on the animal's skin. These animals are so non-confrontational, they won't even bite bait on a fishing rod. Instead, the main method of harvesting these animals is by harpoon, according to Yaiullo.
A basking shark does not possess the sharp teeth that drove fear into the hearts of millions who saw the classic movie Jaws. Instead, they have large mouths that are usually wide open. This may look frightening, but think of it as a living pool filter, keeping the ocean cleaner than it would be without these impressive animals.
Possibly the main reason these sharks are causing local beach patrons alarm is their sheer size. Yaiullo says that a basking shark can reach 40 feet in length, although most of the recent sightings have been of much smaller sharks.
Basking sharks make their homes in what Yaiullo described as "temperate waters." Yaiullo said, "Their food supplies are migrating north, so they should be out of our area soon." In the summertime, he explained, the waters off the shores of Long Island become too warm for the creatures.
"Basking sharks are wide-ranging animals," said Yaiullo, who noted that they can be found in the waters from Newfoundland to Florida, and sometimes even further south than that.
What people probably really want to know is what to do if they suddenly find themselves in the company of these animals. "Getting out of the water is a good idea," Yaiullo said. He explained that while these creatures won't harm humans, making a positive identification of a basking shark is better left to the professionals. "You don't want to remain close to one only to find out later on that it is not a basking shark but a great white shark or a whale."
Both Yaiullo and Bill Fonda of the Department of Environmental Conservation's Suffolk County regional office suggest contacting the Riverhead Marine Research Foundation to report a shark sighting. The foundation has a "stranding hotline" currently set up. You can call 369-9829 to report the stranding of a shark or other sea creatures, such as seals or sea turtles. If you have seen a shark in the water and think it needs to be reported, the foundation's general information number is 369-9840.
So don't be afraid; rather, be intrigued by these animals Yaiullo describes as "truly spectacular and completely harmless."
