Shark season is looming, and wildlife watchers are in for a rare spectacle along the UK coast.
Basking sharks, the world’s second-largest fish, could soon be spotted off the western coastline of Anglesey and other parts of the UK as sea temperatures begin to rise.
Though the idea of sharks may sound intimidating, these gentle giants are harmless to humans, feeding only on plankton and lacking teeth.
The basking shark is the second biggest fish in the world and it lives right here in the UK! 🦈 With @SkyZeroOfficial, we captured 360° footage of basking shark behaviour to make the case for a new Marine Protected Area. pic.twitter.com/vhT0ypDKd6
— WWF UK (@wwf_uk) July 28, 2020
A spokesperson for Basking Shark Scotland said: “During spring, water temperature increases, sun hours and daylight increases and nutrients are highly available in the water.
“Like terrestrial plants coming to life in spring, the ocean is no different and plankton starts to bloom.
“So you’ll not be surprised that basking sharks, being planktivores (eating plankton), also appear when the plankton appears.”
When and where to see basking sharks in the UK
Basking shark season tends to be from May or October, with sighting hotspots including:
Anglesey (Western coastline)
Hebrides (Skye)
Hebrides (Mull)
Isle of Man
Malin Head
Southwest England
While basking sharks pose no direct threat to people, experts do advise caution during encounters.
The sharks can grow up to 40 feet long, and their skin is extremely rough.
Despite their size, they spend about 90% of their time underwater, so sightings are never guaranteed.
So, clear beaches are your best bet to see this mammoth fish.
Are there any dangerous sharks in the UK?
Basking sharks are just one of at least 21 shark species that live in UK waters year-round, and there are at least 11 deepwater shark species such as the Portuguese dogfish and gulper shark.
None of these permanent residents are considered dangerous.
A spokesman for the Shark Trust said: “Only a few sharks are potentially dangerous to humans.
“None of these have ever been reported in British waters.
“With so many shark species under threat, seeing a shark in British waters should be a cause for celebration.”
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Other seasonal shark visitors to UK waters include the blue shark and the shortfin mako.
Blue sharks are known for their long migrations, travelling over 5,700 miles in a single journey.
The shortfin mako is the fastest shark species, reaching speeds of up to 30mph as it chases prey like tuna and swordfish.
Have you spotted a basking shark in UK waters before? Let us know in the poll above or in the comments below.