Why are basking sharks going extinct

This species spends most of its time at the surface, but there are records of basking sharks at depths as deep as m! It regularly visits inshore habitats including headlands, islands and bays and can be spotted from land where zooplankton flourish. Review terms and conditions page for details.

Basking Shark Cetorhinus maximus. About The basking shark is the second biggest fish in the sea, after the whale shark. It was first described by Gunnerus in from a specimen from Norway and was originally assigned the name Squalus maximus.

The currently accepted scientific name is Cetorhinus maximus as assigned by Gunnerus in Discover Fishes Cetorhinus maximus. Basking Shark Basking Shark. Importance to Humans In the past, basking sharks were hunted worldwide for their oil, meat, fins, and vitamin rich livers. This basking shark carcass, discovered by Japanese fishermen in , was initially believed to be the remains of a pleisiosaur. Photo by Michihiko Yano. More recently, the basking shark has sparked an interest in eco-tourism operations.

Danger to Humans Basking sharks are not considered dangerous to the passive observer and are generally tolerant of divers and boats. Conservation Basking shark Cetorhinus maximus underwater. This request would not have banned the hunting of basking sharks worldwide, but would have demanded that countries that engaged in trading basking shark parts keep detailed records.

These records could then be used to determine whether the fishery was sustainable or not. October — U. Departments of Commerce and Interior announced their support for UK movement to protect basking sharks.

November — AFS American Fisheries Society lists the population of basking sharks in the western Atlantic as conservation dependent reduced but stabilized or recovering under a continuing conservation plan and vulnerable in the eastern Pacific. Presently — The FAO Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations is leading a plan to establish international shark fishery management strategies for a number of species, including the basking shark.

Habitat The basking shark is typically seen swimming slowly at the surface, mouth agape in open water near shore. Basking shark at the surface showing exposed tip of snout far right , 1st dorsal fin and upper lobe of caudal fin. Distinguishing Characteristics Basking shark Cetorhinus maximus.

Head is nearly encircled with large gill slits 2. Snout is bulbous and conical 3. Mouth is large and subterminal with small hooked teeth 4. Caudal fin lunate with a single keel on the caudal peduncle Biology Distinctive Features The basking shark is one of the most recognizable of all sharks. A Labial, B basal and C lateral views of basking shark teeth.

Basking sharks are planktivores, and areas with high concentrations of zooplankton small crustaceans and fish larvae drifting in the water column appear to be their favoured habitat, typically including fronts where water masses meet, headlands, and around islands and bays with strong tidal flow. They spend much of their time near the surface, although there is recent evidence that basking sharks may also use deepwater habitats greater than m.

Basking sharks are slow-moving filter-feeders. Longevity is likely about 50 years, while maximum reported length is The species can be found alone or in groups and appears to be segregated based on sex. Size at birth probably ranges between 1. Males are thought to reach maturity at between 12 and 16 years and females between 16 and 20 years.

Gestation has been estimated at 2. Litter size is approximately six pups. The estimated annual reproduction rate is the lowest of any shark known.

Basking sharks periodically shed their gill rakers bristle-like structures at the back of their mouths used to filter food from the water and are presently thought to cease feeding while they regenerate new ones over a month period. Their massive livers, which can weigh one tonne, may act as a metabolic store that maintains energetic requirements while not feeding.

These Acts make it illegal to intentionally kill, injure or harass basking sharks in British waters. Any person committing such an offence could face up to 6 months in prison and a large fine. MCS teamed up with the Scottish Wildlife Trust to show public support for this proposed MPA and the other three which was supported by over 3, public responses. The Sea of the Hebrides off the west coast of Scotland is one of the most important places in the world for basking sharks and the MCS hopes that it can become a MPA to provide even more protection in UK waters for these gentle giants.

Mainly up and down the west coast from Cornwall, through Welsh waters to the Isle of man, Firth of Clyde and all the way up the west coast of Scotland. Occasionally they are also sighted in the North Sea as well. The Marine Conservation Society fights for the future of our ocean through people-powered action — with science on our side.

For seas full of life, where nature flourishes and people thrive. Main image: Basking shark swimming underwater in Baltimore, Cork, Ireland.