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...
© Irish Basking Shark Group
MALIN HEAD SURVEY
2008 - Present | Ongoing Project
INTRODUCTION
The Malin Head Survey is undertaken to study the basking shark population passing through Malin coastal waters and to refine survey models and surveying skills for use at the national and regional level. This project is funded by the Inishowen Basking Shark Study Group and the Inishowen Development Partnership (Leader grant). Scientific support is from the Marine Biological School in Queen's University Belfast.
AIMS
The aims of the Inishowen Basking Shark Survey are:
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Survey the spatial and temporal distribution of the basking shark on the north coast of Ireland
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Develop habitat weightings for distance sampling surveys
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Disseminate knowledge, data and imagery to Inishowen-based tourism providers
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Develop an appropriate survey model for the Irish marine system
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Promote and demonstrate responsible interaction with the basking shark to local marine users
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Raise the general public's awareness of the basking shark
METHODOLOGY
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Develop and deploy relevant visual and technological tags on basking sharks
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Sample and monitor hydrological, meteorological and biological characteristics of Inishowen coastal waters
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Distance sampling : line transect and static point
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Public sightings databases
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Visual tag deployment – mark and recapture
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Photo identification
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Genetic sampling
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By - catch monitoring
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Production of practical, simple and effective advice on shark-sighting probabilities for commercial tourism operators