Wildlife

Basking Shark Welfare and Marine Tourism Disturbance

Basking sharks aggregate in surface waters to feed on plankton and face welfare pressures from boat disturbance, vessel strikes, and entanglement in fishing gear.

Key Facts

World's second largest fish, reaching up to 12 metres in length
UK waters around the Hebrides and Isle of Man are key aggregation sites
Listed as Vulnerable on IUCN Red List
Protected from deliberate harm in UK waters since 1998
Passive plankton feeders that surface in calm water aggregations

Welfare Considerations

Marine tourism vessels approaching too closely disrupt foraging behaviour and can cause physical injury from propeller strikes. Entanglement in static fishing gear including lobster pot lines causes injury and drowning. Code of Conduct violations by boat operators are frequent in aggregation areas.

What You Can Do

Follow Marine Conservation Society basking shark code of conduct
Maintain minimum 4-metre distance from basking sharks when swimming
Support Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme reporting
Donate to Shark Trust basking shark research and protection