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| Basking Shark Ready to Eat |
Basking sharks are one of the most
unique animals in the ocean. They are a greyish color, with large fins and an enormous mouth for their favorite foods. These sharks are planktivorous, meaning they eat plankton. According to the IUCN Redlist, they are large, approximately 36 feet in
length. They are estimated to be 6 and a half feet at birth.
Gestation is between 12-36 months. Two year resting
periods are common between litters. Female sharks live an average of 18 years, but can live up to 50.
The basking Shark is native to the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Ocean.
The exact number of basking sharks are unknown, however it is estimated to be around 20,000. The population is declining but in European waters it is believed the population has stabilized. In order for Basking Sharks to recover, it may take hundreds of years. This is due to biological productivity, and removal of female sharks by fisheries.
Temperate and Tropical Waters
A slow swimming species who also migrates deep in the water, Basking Sharks live in both temperate and tropical waters. In the IUCN Redlist, it is stated that Basking Sharks are found by the surface in temperate waters, while in tropical waters they are deep, below the thermocline. Basking Sharks migrate large areas, going from one place to the other. The reason for their migration is unknown. The government of Canada mentions that it may be due to change in weather, like winter. Temperate waters are cool during the winter and somewhat warm during the summer. Sciencing.com says weather is between 32 degrees Fahrenheit and & 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Tropical waters on the other hand tend to be warmer. Degrees can go from 68 Fahrenheit to 95 Fahrenheit. Rain is also a difference. Emily Neal from Sciencing.com states that about 39 to 59 inches of rain fall each year. Temperate waters tend to have fish and invertebrates. Birds get their food in these areas. Most whales and sharks enjoy cooler water, so they live in these areas. Tropical waters have coral reefs, which is a source of food for animals. Basking sharks are located by coastal waters, and as IUCN Redlist informs us, they have been observed in the Northeastern part of the United States.
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| Temperate Northern Atlantic |
Threat: Fishing and Harvesting Aquatic Resources
Target fisheries used to be a huge problem for Basking Sharks. It wasn't until the 2000's that they were banned. The problems that are still current are net fisheries, trammel nets, becoming entangled in pot lines, and taken as bycatch. Not only this, but Basking Shark fins, if sold; can go up to $57,000 for just one fin. Net fisheries are not only a problem for Basking Sharks but for other animals. , According to the Plastic Soup Foundation animals who get tangled, end up choking or dying. Coral reefs in tropical waters have major threats. Temperate waters have a similar issue. EPA reports that these major threats are boat anchors, recreational misuse, and including destructive fishing equipment and practices, similar to the harm caused to Basking Sharks. Over fishing can harm the coral reefs physically.
What Can We Do?
Shark conservation actions have not been doing well. However there have been a few things put in place in order to prevent the extinction of Basking Sharks. IUCN Redlist states that "In 2005, the Basking Shark was listed on Appendix I & II of the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS)." This means that parties are forced to protect species. The same year, there was a ban for Basking Shark fisheries. Seven years later there would be a ban by the GFCM for retention and ordered release of basking sharks. This however has not been kept up with. These not only protect Basking Sharks but other marine animals as well. How do we as a society contribute to all this? Well, one of the major food sources is protein. Seafood, specifically fish is one of the most commonly eaten. The problem lies when fishing companies do not take extra care for marine animals when they get stuck in nets. Plastic Food Foundation reports that of all the 15 major fishing companies, none of them dispose of nets properly. In order to help, the IUCN Redlist recommends the prohibition of retention and landing. Avoiding contact with basking sharks and leaving them at peace is also recommended. Reporting sighting of captures is also important as it helps without having direct contact with the species. Initiation from large companies is major, but for now we can spread the word so they listen to us too.
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