This map is a collation of all basking shark sightings sent to MCS between 1987-2004. Report density is shown in individual 10x10km cells. Each cell that has had at least one report of a basking shark is coloured in a different shade of pink (the lightest indicates the least number of reports).
The dark line around the UK coast indicates the 12nm limit within which current English, Welsh and Scottish legislation protects the basking shark. The basking shark is yet to receive protection within the inshore waters of Northern Ireland and Ireland.
MCS would like to thank Steve Frampton for producing this map. Click here to download a high resolution pdf, with which you can zoom into the region of interest to you.
