Giant 40ft sharks to be seen in UK waters

Giant 40-metre sharks will be seen off the coast of England from May.

Experts predict the sharks, which can grow up to 12 meters and weigh up to 6 tonnes, will be common in waters around the UK between May and September, with the most likely sightings said to be around the Scottish Isles of Skye and Mull, off the coast of Anglesey in Wales, around the Isle of Man and along the south-west coast of England.

A spokesperson for Basking Shark Scotland told the Bournemouth Echo: “In the spring months water temperatures increase, sun hours and daylight increase and nutrients are highly available in the water.

“Just like terrestrial plants come to life in spring, the situation in the ocean is no different and plankton begins to bloom. When plankton emerges, you will not be surprised to see sharks, which are planktivores (plankton-eating), also appear.”

Basking sharks are endemic to UK waters and pose no threat to humans. It is one of 21 shark species that live in UK waters all year round, although basking sharks are only likely to be seen for a few months of the year.

A spokesman for the Shark Trust added: “Only a few sharks are potentially dangerous to humans. None of these have been reported in British waters.”

“With so many shark species under threat, seeing one in British waters should be a cause for celebration.”

A statement about sharks published on wildlifetrusts.org said: “The shark is the second largest fish in our oceans, while its relative, the whale shark, is the largest.

“Despite their size, basking sharks feed exclusively on zooplankton, which they filter from the water, swimming slowly back and forth with their huge mouths wide open. They are most commonly seen in the summer months, when they arrive in British waters.”

The statement also suggested where to go for the best chance of seeing the sharks, adding: “Courtship behavior has been seen off the Isle of Man – so perhaps they are coming here to breed!

“For your best chance of spotting them, visit Cornwall, the Isle of Man and the Inner Hebrides. They can be seen from the cliffs, but your best chance is to take a boat tour with a reputable wildlife viewing company.”