REFLECTIONS ON A RARE BASKING SHARK ENCOUNTER
August 2020
Dr. Simon Berrow narrates his experience with basking sharks in the fall off West Clare. The species is often seen feeding in this area in the spring - but the seasonal timing of this experience was not the only unusual component...
© Irish Basking Shark Group
VISUAL TAG DEPLOYMENT
2008 - Present | Ongoing Project
INTRODUCTION
The All-Ireland visual tagging project is funded by the Heritage Council, Inishowen Development Partnership and supported by the Shannon Dolphin fund and Wildlife Foundation (www.shannondolphins.ie) and the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group. This ambitious project has several aims and objectives.
AIMS
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Determine short term spatial and temporal movements of basking sharks found in Irish waters
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Examine the annual and seasonal movements of basking sharks tagged in Irish waters
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Identify important areas of concentration (i.e. "hotspots")
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Use individual identification tags to observe interaction between identified and sexed sharks
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Compile information on individual sharks to establish behavioural patterns and habits
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Use individually-identified tagged sharks to record ecological and biological changes to a shark over time (e.g. size)
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Use GIS mapping to correlate / identify trends in movements with possible determining factors