A recent study led by Oregon State University has documented a significant incident involving a basking shark, a species listed as endangered. This marks the first recorded collision between a vessel and such a large marine animal. The researchers observed the shark after it sustained injuries but displayed unusual behavior during the period of monitoring.
The event, captured on video, involved a female basking shark measuring about seven meters long. Hours prior to the collision, researchers had tagged the shark with a device resembling a fitness tracker, which included a camera. This device was designed to detach after several hours, which it did before the researchers were able to retrieve it.
Following the impact, the scientists noted visible damage to the shark, including skin abrasions, paint marks, and a noticeable red abrasion. However, there were no signs of significant bleeding or external wounds, leading the team to question whether the shark survived the incident.
Collisions with boats do not always result in immediate fatalities, but injuries sustained can have serious repercussions in both the short and long term. The data collected indicated that after tagging, the shark spent most of its time at the surface, displaying normal feeding behavior interspersed with occasional dives. However, after the collision, it exhibited a marked change, rapidly increasing its heart rate and swimming towards the sea floor, which was markedly different from its previous behavior.
The researchers found that the shark did not resume feeding or act normally during the monitoring period. The basking shark is the second largest fish known to exist, often exceeding lengths of eight meters. The incident took place in waters off Ireland, a location recognized for hosting large populations of these sharks.
Basking sharks feed by filter feeding at the surface, similar to some whale species, making them particularly vulnerable to vessel strikes. Unlike whales, basking sharks tend to sink when they die, complicating efforts to estimate their mortality rates. This incident emphasizes the vulnerability of these creatures due to shipping traffic and highlights the importance of increasing awareness about ways to prevent such collisions.
In Ireland, basking sharks have been protected under the Wildlife Act since 2022. Earlier this year, the Irish government announced the establishment of the country’s first National Marine Park, safeguarding over 28,328 hectares of land and sea along the coast of County Kerry, where these sharks frequent for feeding and mating.
For more information on basking sharks and conservation efforts, you can refer to the Oregon State University study.
With these efforts, we hope to better protect the basking shark and its habitat, ensuring the survival of this remarkable species for future generations.
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