Rare Basking Shark Spotted Near Arranmore Island, Ireland
Massive 30ft shark spotted off British Isles as family on boat trip left stunned
Mirror
Image: Mirror
A massive basking shark, estimated at 35 feet, was filmed near Arranmore Island off the west coast of County Donegal, Ireland. While these gentle giants are harmless to humans, they are classified as endangered and protected under various UK conservation laws.
- 01A 35-foot basking shark was spotted off Arranmore Island, County Donegal, Ireland.
- 02Basking sharks are the second-largest fish in the world and are harmless to humans.
- 03The species is classified as endangered in the North Atlantic and is protected by UK laws.
- 04Historically, basking sharks were heavily fished, with records dating back to 1746.
- 05Violating basking shark protection laws can result in up to 6 months in prison and fines.
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A 35-foot basking shark was recently filmed off Arranmore Island, located in County Donegal, Ireland. Skipper John Paul Baska, who was leading a family on a boat trip, captured the moment as the shark swam alongside them. Basking sharks, known as the second-largest fish in the world, are gentle creatures that feed primarily on plankton and pose no threat to humans. Historically, these sharks were heavily fished for their meat and oil, with the first recorded fishery in County Donegal dating back to 1746. Despite their long presence in the waters of the northeast Atlantic, basking sharks are now classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. In the UK, they are protected under several laws, making it illegal to harm them, with violators facing penalties of up to 6 months in prison.
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The protection of basking sharks helps preserve marine biodiversity and supports local tourism, as sightings attract visitors to the region.
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