Official account of the Irish Basking Shark Group - a network of international researchers dedicated to studying the basking shark population in Irish waters.
On this #WorldWildlifeDay, we celebrate a truly momentous occasion. The IBSG welcomes today’s Government announcement that they intend to provide legal protection to basking sharks in Irish waters by listing them on the Wildlife Act. A quick thread (1/n):
gov.ie/en/press-release/04f6…
Happy #worldbaskingsharkday! Today is the day we celebrate the big fish online. Join us over the day for lots of info, pics & videos. Make sure you tune in at 12pm (midday) when we’ll be dropping some very special news! #baskingshark#baskingsharks
Happy #WorldBaskingSharkDay everyone! Here's to celebrating this gentle giant and the biggest shark in UK waters! 🦈
🔍 Have you seen a Basking Shark? If so, let us know using our Shark Log sightings form: bit.ly/SharkLog
📸 Frogfish Photography
Basking sharks are what now?! New paper led by @haleydolton where we document regional endothermy in our favourite giant filter feeding sharky 🔥. Interesting implications for evolution and ecological advantages of regional endothermy; we thought it was only seen in apex 🦈&🐟1/3
🎵🚨 Well, I’m hot blooded, check it and see…🎵🚨
Despite always been known as being cold blooded, basking sharks are actually regionally endothermic like their close relatives great whites! 🔥🦈🔥
Check out my second PhD chapter here: doi.org/10.3354/esr01257
I've been talking to @haleydolton and @nicklpayne about this for awhile now, so I'm absolutely thrilled that this is public knowledge! Great work by this team - can confirm that getting thermistors into basking sharks is NOT EASY 🔥
🎵🚨 Well, I’m hot blooded, check it and see…🎵🚨
Despite always been known as being cold blooded, basking sharks are actually regionally endothermic like their close relatives great whites! 🔥🦈🔥
Check out my second PhD chapter here: doi.org/10.3354/esr01257
It's truly an incredible area for biodiversity.
Just in case you missed it here's an infographic on the Mayo to Shelf Edge area that our research shows would make a great Marine Protected Area: x.com/FairSeasIreland/status…#FairSeas
New infographic 🧑🎓
Mayo to Shelf Edge Area of Interest for MPA designation.
A vibrant area for sharks, dolphins, seabirds & rare native oyster beds 🦪
This stretch of coast is also the only place in Ireland where Leach's storm petrels breed.
fairseas.ie/2022/11/03/mayo-…#FairSeas
What IS the proper code of conduct around basking sharks, you ask? Good question! A thread 🧵 (1/n).
(Please also remember we also have codes of conduct available on our "Downloads" section of our website thanks to @SharkTrustUK)
This is a great update from co-coordinator @DonalGriffin9! We KNOW some of you want a basking shark on your passport. How cool would that be? Share widely and fill out the survey here: gov.ie/en/consultation/e28e8…
🇮🇪 Passport news 🇮🇪
Ireland is currently carrying out a public survey on what animals & plants should feature on our updated passport.
Vote for your favourite below. If you can't chose, we're big fans of #baskingshark and would love your help🦈
@FairSeasIreland@BaskingIrish
New paper y'all! Hot off the press 🔥. Ever look at a bunch of #sharks together and wonder, "Why are they doing that? What do we even call this 'group'?"?
Well, we wondered for you and introduce some fun new terms for you here!
academic.oup.com/icesjms/adv…
@ICES_ASC @big_fish_lab
There have been many videos and reports of basking shark encounters this season! We spoke to the @irishexaminer about how to behave when you come across them: irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/…
With #BaskingSharks returning to their usual favourite spots around Achill Island, check out these great reminders from @BaskingIrish if you're lucky enough to encounter them! 👇
Hey folks! Here's your regular reminder to be kind to the sharks this #baskingsharkseason. These animals are officially protected in Irish waters, and you may see them throughout the summer (if you're lucky). Our Code of Conduct is below. Pls share widely!!
Hey folks! Here's your regular reminder to be kind to the sharks this #baskingsharkseason. These animals are officially protected in Irish waters, and you may see them throughout the summer (if you're lucky). Our Code of Conduct is below. Pls share widely!!
Had a few basking sharks about 2km south of Red Strand, #WestCork this morning. Another reported near the Doolic rock. We might get a run with them yet on this part of the coast. Footage from last year.
#Cork#Ireland#gopro@BaskingIrish#WildAtlanticWay#sharks