Projects

What does the research involve?

We are seeking to understand the basic elements of the life history and population structure of the basking shark in the north-east Atlantic, especially within European Union and UK territorial waters. The work will include determining population demography, dynamics and movements in order to provide information that will contribute to management for the recovery and sustainability and the avoidance of unnecessary mortality of basking shark populations.

Modern satellite telemetry is being used to determine population movements, and sighting, stranding and fisheries data will be collated so that, as far as possible, we can elucidate population demography and dynamics.

Molecular genetic analysis of basking shark tissue samples is being used understand the extent to which basking sharks in different areas of the world are genetically related to, or isolated from, each other.

Who’s involved?

For this research Cefas has brought together a consortium of internationally renowned experts in the fields of fish telemetry (Dr. Julian Metcalfe (Cefas) & Dr. David Sims (MBA, Plymouth)), basking shark biology (David Sims), shark molecular genetics (Drs Cath Jones and Les Noble, School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen) and fish population dynamics (Dr. Mike Pawson, Cefas). Help and assistance is also being provided by other organisations (The Shark Trust, The Marine Biological Station at Millport) and individuals.

What are the benefits for basking sharks?

The work will contribute to the implementation of the UK Biodiversity Action Plan, the European Community Wildlife Trade Regulations and any future UK Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) listing proposal, the establishment of quotas under the Common Fisheries Policy, the EC shark action plan, and, therefore, to the implementation of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) International Plan of Action (IPOA) for Sharks.