A group of researchers have captured the first video of a boat striking an endangered female basking shark off the coast of Ireland in April. The moment was recorded with a camera tag and activity monitoring device attached to the shark for scientific observation. The shark tried to evade the boat but was struck on the back, causing damage to her skin and leaving red scrapes behind her dorsal fin. The researchers had been following the shark before the collision occurred and observed that she stopped feeding after the strike. It is unclear how the shark is faring after the collision.
Vessel strikes with marine life are a common occurrence, and the researchers argue that more study is needed to understand the risk and impact of these collisions. With an increase in basking shark sightings in the region, collisions are more likely to occur as these sharks are regularly spotted at the surface. The authors hope to advance the understanding of the species’ recovery process and fatal incidents. Basking sharks are the first fish protected by Ireland’s Wildlife Act, making it illegal to intentionally harm or interfere with them. The researchers’ observations highlight the need for further research and preventative measures to reduce the risk of collisions between boats and marine life like basking sharks.
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