This Basking Shark Data Directory signposts towards projects and organisations holding data relating to Basking Sharks. It was developed following the 2024 Basking Shark Forum hosted by the Shark Trust, and advanced during the 2025 International Conference on Basking Sharks hosted by the Irish Basking Shark Group. 

Each entry features what type of data is held (e.g. whether sightings, citizen/community science, tracking or photo-ID), the quantity of data, geographical and temporal range, any data restrictions, and the contact details of relevant data owners.

This directory hosts only metadata and not the dataset itself. It is intended for use by a wide range of individuals and organisations, including researchers, decision makers, consultants and students, in order to build a complete picture of Basking Shark movements in a given region.

Should you wish to access a dataset that is not open access, please follow up with the data holder directly.

You can access the Basking Shark Data Directory by clicking on the image or button below.

Click here

If you have a dataset you would like represented on the Basking Shark Data Directory, you can enter information including the scope of the data on the short form here.

For more information please email the conservation team