Basking Shark sightings down on previous summers

The Manx Wildlife Trust has reported a very poor first half of the summer season with regards to basking shark sightings.

Last year record numbers were reported, it was hoped for a similar year after the first sightings were logged earlier than usual.

It didn’t materialise however with a distinct lack of plankton cited as the main reason.

Despite the low figures the Basking Shark Watch have still managed to carry out some research, gathering slime samples and attaching another satellite tag to one of the gentle giants.

Whilst the Basking Sharks are remaining elusive there have been plenty of porpoise sightings logged and even minky whales.

Eleanor Stone from the Manx Wildlife Trust said although it's frustrating from a research point of view it is never a certainty that they will appear around the Island in the summer months.

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