REFLECTIONS ON A RARE BASKING SHARK ENCOUNTER
August 2020
Dr. Simon Berrow narrates his experience with basking sharks in the fall off West Clare. The species is often seen feeding in this area in the spring - but the seasonal timing of this experience was not the only unusual component...
© IBSG
Thank you so much to the participants, presenters, and sponsors who made our event a success!
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BASKING SHARKS| 2025
Please join us for the International Conference on Basking Sharks, jointly hosted by the IBSG and the National Parks and Wildlife Service.*
The goals of this conference are interdisciplinary:
1) to create a global discussion of ongoing research
2) to encourage international collaboration and data sharing
3) to highlight the unique cultural history of the species.
This conference is open to scientists and non-scientists alike - all those interested in basking sharks.
*The National Parks and Wildlife Service is the Executive Agency within the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in Ireland, with responsibility for nature conservation, wildlife protection and the presentation and preservation of our National Parks and Nature Reserves. www.npws.ie
Conference Information
Registration
In-Person: Pre-Registration is now closed. On-site tickets will be available for 160 Euro.
Virtual Attendance: Register to attend virtually using this link. We offer general and student admission tickets. Zoom links will be sent no later than August 28th from irishbaskingshark2025@gmail.com. If you have not received your links, please email us and CC GrayChelsea13@gmail.com
While you do not need to register for the free Ocean Literacy Day on Achill Island (see "Schedule" below), doing so will allow us to send you email updates about events and opportunities. Register for Ocean Literacy using this link.
Conference Schedule (ATU)
See conference details below.
Download the schedule here:
Ocean Literacy Day Schedule (Achill)
Weather update
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Due to inclement weather, there will be some changes to the timing and schedule or Ocean Literacy Day on Achill.
Sea Safari and Kayaking is cancelled.
Headland watches have been replaced by bus tours which are available for conference attendees and require registration (please reach out to conference organizers if you have questions).
The Fishermen’s Tale talk by Brian McNeill (Ireland’s last basking shark fisherman) will take place in Keel Community Hall instead of Keem Beach.
The Achill Sound will now play at 15:00.
See updated schedule linked below.
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On August 31, please join us in celebrating the cultural significance of this species on Achill Island (County Mayo), which is known as one of Ireland's basking shark "hotspots" and holds a long history with this animal.
This is free and open to the public.
Download the Ocean Literacy Day schedule here:
Conference Details (ATU)
The conference will consist of 2 days of technical presentations (talks and posters) and workshops, held from August 29-30. Full presentation and workshop schedule coming soon.
Icebreaker: We will be hosting an Icebreaker August 28th from 6-8 pm at Galway Aquarium in Salthill. There will be small bites and drinks. Conference attendees will be able to chat, mingle, and explore the aquarium. This icebreaker is included in your registration fee.
Conference Gala: The evening of August 29th we will host a conference gala (dinner and drinks). Gala tickets can be purchased as a ticket add-on when registering. Details coming soon. Gala ticket sales are now closed.
Merch sales To reduce waste, we ask participants to select whether they would like to purchase conference merchandise, featuring the conference logo. This package consists of an umbrella, bandana, and t-shirt. Note that remote participants will have to cover shipping costs. Merch sales are now closed.
Registration:
Register to attend virtually using this link. On site tickets will be available for 160 Euros.
Workshops
We will be hosting three workshops for this conference. For more information, please download our workshop summaries document here.
Accessibility
The Irish Basking Shark Group Conference Committee is committed to making our event accessible to everyone. If you require an accommodation or service to fully participate, please contact conference organizers (irishbaskingshark2025@gmail.com) with the subject line "Accommodation Request" at least 7 days prior to the event.
Location
The 2025 International Conference on Basking Sharks will be held at Atlantic Technological University, Galway City (County Galway, Ireland).
Transportation
Please see this document for tips and tricks regarding transportation around Ireland. We will update the document as new information becomes available. As part of our initiative to keep this conference as green as possible, we will also link to a ride-sharing spreadsheet following registration.
Accommodations
Please see this document for information about accommodations near the conference venue.
Questions?
Please see the FAQs listed on our Registration page. Further updates on conference topics, workshops, and a detailed agenda will also be provided via email and on this site following abstract submission and registration.
If you have additional inquiries, please email: irishbaskingshark2025@gmail.com.
Thank you to our sponsors
Interesting in supporting this conference? Please email us (irishbaskingshark2025@gmail.com).
