Researchers have captured the first video of a boat striking an endangered female basking shark off the coast of Ireland. The moment was recorded with a camera tag and monitoring device attached to the shark, showing the keel of the boat cutting across her back as she tried to evade the collision. The video revealed damage to the shark’s skin and paint marks, but no bleeding or open wounds. The tag indicated that the shark stopped feeding after the strike and headed to deeper waters.
This incident highlights the need for more research on the risk and impact of vessel strikes on marine life. Basking sharks, which are regularly seen at the surface in Ireland, are at a higher risk of collisions due to increasing sightings in the region. The researchers hope to further understand the short and long-term recovery process of basking sharks after such incidents and prevent future fatal collisions.
Basking sharks are the first fish species to be protected by Ireland’s Wildlife Act, making it illegal to intentionally harm or interfere with them. The study authors stress the importance of studying and preventing vessel strikes to ensure the conservation of basking sharks and other marine megafauna. More research is needed to address the growing collision risks as these species continue to be seen more frequently in the waters off Ireland.
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