Basking Shark Welfare at Aggregation Sites

Basking sharks congregate seasonally in UK coastal waters. Managing human interactions at aggregation sites is essential to protect individual shark welfare and population recovery.

Key Facts

Basking sharks are the second largest fish species, reaching up to 12 metres in length
UK aggregations occur annually off Cornwall, the Isle of Man and Scottish coasts May-August
They were heavily hunted for liver oil until the 1990s and populations have not fully recovered
Vessel disturbance causes sharks to dive and disperse, interrupting critical feeding periods
Basking sharks are fully protected under UK and EU wildlife legislation

Welfare Considerations

Aggregation sites are high-welfare-risk areas where multiple stressors converge. Individual sharks are approached by boats, kayaks and swimmers, causing repeated startle responses and dive behaviour that interrupts surface filter-feeding. During feeding aggregations, sharks consume up to 30kg of zooplankton per hour. Repeated disturbance reduces feeding efficiency and energetic gain during the critical summer period before dispersal. Guidelines requiring boats to maintain 4-metre distance and prohibit swimming with sharks protect individual welfare while allowing wildlife tourism.

What You Can Do

Follow the Basking Shark Scotland and Wildlife Trust guidelines for responsible shark watching
Report disturbance incidents to the Shark Trust marine wildlife reporting line
Choose responsible wildlife boat operators displaying commitment to disturbance codes
Support legal enforcement of basking shark protection zones at key aggregation sites
Engage with local coastal councils on managing tourist pressure at well-known shark sites