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...
THE SHARK TRACKER
© Alexandra McInturf
Here you will find the position information for the sharks we have tagged with remote tracking transmitters. We deployed both Wildlife Computers PAT-MK-10-F tags and SPOT5 tags in 2012 and 2013, and plan to continue in the near future. These tags offer the latest technological advance in tracking free living marine species, and allow us to track larger movements, like migration, over longer periods of time.
Mark/recapture, plankton- and distance-sampling surveys are undertaken in parallel with telemetry deployments. These allow us to monitor long-term residence and seasonal return to study locations, estimate local population sizes, and understand how environmental factors such as prey field might affect basking shark movement patterns. Such data contributes to our goal of supporting the implementation of a sustainable management initiative for the species in Irish and Atlantic waters.
The "Shark Tracker" project also serves to link our research and outreach efforts. Once tagged, each shark is named and adopted by a local coastal community or organization. These names represent the character of each associated group and the close association they have with the marine environment and their coastal heritage. The shark tracks can then be observed over time on this page.
Please note that this is only one of our many projects. To learn more, visit our "Projects" page.
SHARK SPOTTING PROJECT 2013
Foyle II | Lough's Agency, Lough Foyle
Koisan | Private Donor
Balor | Inishowen Basking Shark Study Group
Wyville | Queens University Belfast
MONSTER MUNCH PROJECT 2012
Iascagain | Scoil Iosagain, Buncrana
Banba 'Bob' | Scoil Naomh Mhuire, Malin Head
Colm doesn't Cille | Scoil Cholmcille, Glengad
Bunagee Beauty | Scoil Naomh Budain, Culdaff
Green Marine | Scoil Cholmcille, Greencastle
MEET THE SHARKS
FOYLE II
Sponsored by
Lough's Agency, Lough Foyle
WYVILLE
Sponsored by
Queen's University Belfast
COLM DOESN'T CILLE
Sponsored by
Scoil Cholmcille, Glengad
KOISAN
Sponsored by
Private Donor
IASCAGAIN
Sponsored by
Scoil Iosagain, Buncrana
BUNAGEE BEAUTY
Sponsored by
Scoil Naomh Budain, Culdaff
BALOR
Sponsored by
Inishowen Basking Shark Study Group
BANBA 'BOB'
Sponsored by
Scoil Naomh Mhuire, Malin Head
GREEN MARINE
Sponsored by
Scoil Cholmcille, Greencastle