Basking Shark Threats

Basking Sharks are long lived, slow growing and produce few young. This makes them extremely vulnerable to human impacts.

Although Basking Sharks are now one of the most heavily protected sharks in UK and EU waters, they continue to face threats from human activities:

ENTANGLEMENT

Basking Sharks easily become entangled in fishing nets and ropes. Unless fishermen are on hand to quickly release them, they often die. Although some do manage to disentangle themselves. You can sometimes see scarring and abrasions caused by nets on their dorsal fin.

BOAT-STRIKE

Propeller and boat strikes remain a serious danger for Basking Sharks. Particularly in summer months when they're feeding at the surface. Basking Sharks rarely evade approaching boats. So it's common for them to have scarring and sometimes horrific injuries from collisions.

HARASSMENT

Basking Sharks are very sensitive to disturbance and harassment by people. In all the excitement of seeing Basking Sharks, boats and jet-ski's often end up striking them. As well as causing physical harm, water-users can also disrupt their natural behaviour. Such as feeding, courting and mating.

► Download our Code of Conduct (pdf)

FISHERIES

Basking Shark fisheries worldwide have all but collapsed. Although in some parts of the world they continue, driven by demand for shark fins. Basking Sharks are also still caught as bycatch in nets intended for other species.

Find Out How You Can Help Basking Sharks

Basking Shark Appeal

Help Basking Sharks in the Northeast Atlantic by donating to our Basking Shark Project.

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ENTANGLEMENT

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HARASSMENT

FISHERIES

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