Our work to study and protect the basking shark really does make a difference.  Isn't it great when all your hard work pays off?  Thank you and well done to everyone who has reported a sighting.

January 2007: Basking Shark receives EU-wide protection under fisheries legislation

Great news!  The proposals mentioned immediately below have been accepted, making it now illegal to "fish for, retain on board, tranship and land" basking sharks (as well as Great White Sharks, Carcharodon carcharias) for all vessels in EU waters, and worldwide for EU vessels.  This closes a previous loophole in European protection, and implements the Bonn Convention on Migratory Species (CMS, see below), through fisheries legislation - thus representing another conservation landmark stemming from the MCS Basking Shark Watch project.

November 2006: European Community proposes Europe-wide protection

For the 2007 TAC (Total Allowable Catch) proposals, the European Commission has included two new articles that will make fishing for basking sharks illegal throughout EU waters, and worldwide for EU vessels.  These proposals are up for discussion at the Fisheries Council, in December, and the UK will be supporting them.

Basking shark added to Appendix I and II of the Bonn Convention on Migratory Species (CMS)

MCS compiled a proposal in summer 2005 for the UK delegation to list the basking shark on the Bonn Convention, which requires nation states with populations of the shark to legislate for its protection, provide management measures to identify bycatch rates, and implement actions to protect the species from decline. MCS realised that the research by scientists at the MBA was particularly relevant to the listing of the shark on the CMS, as their tagging work showed that UK sharks regularly migrate between France, Ireland, Scotland and offshore in international waters. MCS is delighted that most countries have adopted the listing of the basking shark, but Norway, New Zealand, the EU, Portugal and Denmark have yet to sign. MCS will be following this up!

Basking Shark Protection in Northern Ireland?

Protection of the basking shark in Northern Ireland waters is currently under consideration as part of the current review of ‘The Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985’ (Environment and Heritage Service. pers. comm.). Basking sharks remain unprotected in Irish waters.

Shark finning banned

In November 2004. the World Conservation Union (IUCN) adopted a recommendation urging all states to ban shark-finning and requiring fins to be landed attached to their bodies. In addition, the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas adopted a US proposal in November 2004 to ban shark-finning in the Atlantic Ocean, 63 countries have adopted the unprecedented protective measures, including member states of the EU.

New Basking Shark Report out now!

The new Basking Shark Watch technical report and summary report is available! Data from 1987 to 2004 have been analysed and the fascinating findings are reported on. The report provides detailed information on the distribution and abundance of basking shark sightings around the UK, with emphasis on highlighting spatial and temporal differences in sightings. The basking shark data is also regionally analysed and provides detailed information on behaviour and size structure of the basking shark sightings. Most signficantly it highlights how this data can be useful in developing a mangement plan for the species and provides management recommendations. Please contact us for your own report (only £5 + post) - email info@mcsuk.org.

International basking shark protection at last!

Following extensive campaigning by MCS and similar organisations the basking shark was placed on Appendix II of CITES (Convention onInternational Trade in Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna) in 2003. This means that although trade in basking shark products is still legal, it must be carefully monitored and it encourages the introduction of fisheries management and research to ensure that future catches are sustainable.

Call for local volunteer coordinators

We are currently developing a network of local volunteer coordinators and to date have 18 spread around the country, but we need more. You don’t have to be a marine biologist, just have the passion and some spare time. The aim is to develop awareness locally by distributing promotional material, identifying useful contacts, ensuring sea-users are aware of the sharks and the code of conduct and, if you have the confidence, giving presentations. To find out more contact Angus Bloomfield at angus.bloomfield@mcsuk.org.