Watch out for Baskng Sharks!

The Marine Conservation Society have launched their 2001 MCS Basking Shark Watch Scheme. This scheme started in 1987 and has so far gathered records of more than 13,000 sightings. These records were instrumental in a campaign which led to the protection of basking sharks under UK law in 1998.

"Anyone that dives, sails, fishes, or visits the coast can help by keeping a watch out for basking sharks and sending us their sighting records" said Ms. Pollard, Director of Conservation at the MCS.

The MCS Basking Shark Watch scheme encourages the public to help gather more information about the species' distribution in UK waters and contribute to UK and international conservation efforts.

The basking shark is the second largest fish in the world, reaching lengths of up to 11m and weighing up to 7 tonnes. Basking sharks are harmless plankton feeders, which can be seen along the entire west coast through to October.

"Few people are aware that the UK is home to the world's second largest fish so we recommend the public to go out and enjoy spotting these spectacular but vulnerable giants" said Sam Pollard. In other parts of the globe they continue to be killed for their meat and fins which fetch prices up to £1,500 a set (wet weight).

The UK Government is committed to the international protection of basking sharks, and recently launched a £290,000 research programme for basking sharks in UK waters.

To receive your Basking Shark Watch pack, or find out more about how you can help MCS protect threatened marine species, please contact the Marine Conservation Society on: 01989 566017 or e-mail: info@mscuk.org

The Basking Shark Watch report card is also on-line at here.