Basking Shark Conference 2009
Extended Audio Interview:
Currently, basking sharks are listed on appendix II of the CITES Red list. This status goes some way towards guarding their unknown populations against exploitation, but in the past their numbers were devastated by overfishing. In parts of the world where basking sharks were hunted their numbers never recovered. The demand for basking sharks has not gone away. Their impressive dorsal fins are sough after for decorative purposes in restaurants serving the dish shark fin soup. A large fin can command a price of tens of thousands of dollars, explaining the reason behind their continued exploitation.
The Isle of Man, located in the Irish Sea to the north of Wales, was the first country in the world to grant the basking shark protected status and is now a hub for sightings and research; its said that almost 40% of visitors to the island come specifically to view basking sharks. It’s this long-standing affinity with basking sharks that made it the perfect location for a scientific conference dedicated to the species.
The past few years have seen some of the mysteries concerning basking sharks starting to unravel. In 2007, SOSF funded researcher Mauvis Gore tagged a basker off the Isle of Man that unexpectedly and incredibly crossed the Atlantic, traveling almost 2,000 miles and diving to depths of over 1200 meters. More recently, sharks tagged off New England have made equally astounding movements, crossing the equator and travelling to the Caribbean and the mouth of the Amazon river. These studies were made using the cutting edge technology of electronic tags. Once attached, the tags track the sharks’ movements and data is transmitted back to scientists via satellite. Although allowing us a fascinating glimpse into the secretive life of basking sharks, these discoveries really ask more questions than they answer, highlighting just how little we really understand them.
By bringing the worlds leading basking shark scientists together, SOSF is helping the scientific community to determine just which pieces of the basking shark puzzle we have and where research efforts should now be focused, to help ensure the long term survival of this enigmatic species.
See more photos of the conference here.
The 2nd to 6th of August 2009 saw the first scientific conference focused wholly on the enigmatic basking shark. The event, co-sponsored by SOSF was intended to bring leading scientists from all over the world together to develop a global picture of the biology, ecology, population, exploitation, and conservation status of basking sharks.
Audio Slide: Rupert Ormond reflects on the Basking Shark Conference held last week on the Isle of Man. (Watch on YouTube)
Audio Slide: Rupert Ormond reflects on the Basking Shark Conference held last week on the Isle of Man. (Watch on YouTube)
Extended Audio Interview:
Currently, basking sharks are listed on appendix II of the CITES Red list. This status goes some way towards guarding their unknown populations against exploitation, but in the past their numbers were devastated by overfishing. In parts of the world where basking sharks were hunted their numbers never recovered. The demand for basking sharks has not gone away. Their impressive dorsal fins are sough after for decorative purposes in restaurants serving the dish shark fin soup. A large fin can command a price of tens of thousands of dollars, explaining the reason behind their continued exploitation.
The Isle of Man, located in the Irish Sea to the north of Wales, was the first country in the world to grant the basking shark protected status and is now a hub for sightings and research; its said that almost 40% of visitors to the island come specifically to view basking sharks. It’s this long-standing affinity with basking sharks that made it the perfect location for a scientific conference dedicated to the species.
The past few years have seen some of the mysteries concerning basking sharks starting to unravel. In 2007, SOSF funded researcher Mauvis Gore tagged a basker off the Isle of Man that unexpectedly and incredibly crossed the Atlantic, traveling almost 2,000 miles and diving to depths of over 1200 meters. More recently, sharks tagged off New England have made equally astounding movements, crossing the equator and travelling to the Caribbean and the mouth of the Amazon river. These studies were made using the cutting edge technology of electronic tags. Once attached, the tags track the sharks’ movements and data is transmitted back to scientists via satellite. Although allowing us a fascinating glimpse into the secretive life of basking sharks, these discoveries really ask more questions than they answer, highlighting just how little we really understand them.
By bringing the worlds leading basking shark scientists together, SOSF is helping the scientific community to determine just which pieces of the basking shark puzzle we have and where research efforts should now be focused, to help ensure the long term survival of this enigmatic species.
See more photos of the conference here.