By Dónal Griffin Earlier this week, the Irish Basking Shark Group received some fantastic and very welcome news. On 3 March 2026, the Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan TD, announced a new voluntary Marine Wildlife Code of Conduct for tour operators engaged in wildlife watching off the southwest coast. The Code has been developed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) in collaboration with tour operators, and the Irish

2025 was a busy year for the Irish Basking Shark Group! The group hosted the first International Conference on Basking Sharks since 2009, as well as an Ocean Literacy Day on Achill Island. We also contributed to important policy by identifying Important Shark and Ray Areas for the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, as well as submitting a proposal to the upcoming international Convention on Migratory Species meeting in March. The sharks were busy too, as demo

By: Carline Lynam (Researcher and Science Communicator with IBSG) When discussing where to host our Ocean Literacy Day to close out the International Conference on Basking Sharks , it was an easy decision to go with Achill. Once the stronghold for the historical basking shark fishery, Achill felt like the right choice not only because it is visually stunning but also for its cultural significance. Basking sharks have been culturally important in Ireland for 100s of years, fro

By Emilie De Loose (Conference Organiser and Volunteer Researcher) In 2025, the Irish Basking Shark Group organised and co-hosted with the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) the first International Conference on Basking Sharks since 2009 here in Ireland. All in all the event was a splashing success! From August 29-31st, nearly 120 shark enthusiasts joined us in the lecture halls of the Atlantic Technology University (ATU) in Galway with 2 dozen more following online,

We have updated our Code of Conduct to reflect the new legal protection of basking sharks in Ireland

On April 22, 2024, the Irish government announced the designation of a new national park in West Kerry. What does this mean for the sharks?