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04/01/2013
Ulster Basking Shark Found Off African Coast
The discovery of a Donegal basking shark off the western coast of Africa is throwing into question many theories on the animal’s habits.
The shark, named Banba, was originally tagged off Malin Head but was rediscovered some 3,000 miles away off the coast of Senegal.
It was previously accepted that basking sharks were only found in temperate waters, but the discovery has offered an insight into where the five-metre-long female spends the winter.
The shark was tagged under the Monster Munch Basking Shark Community Awareness Project, run by the Irish Basking Shark Study Group with Inishowen Development Partnership and Queen’s University Belfast.
Most tagged sharks travel one or two hundred miles in winter and return to coastal waters in the summer when the amount of food available increases again.
Basking shark researcher Emmett Johnston said: "Up until now there have been lots of different theories put forward about the sharks and one was that they hibernated over the winter because there wasn't enough food in the waters around the north Atlantic.
"Other people said they went offshore and they have been tracked offshore in the winter.
"But we have been theorising that they head further south to where the food is, like the larger whales from this area."
Basking sharks are said to eat mainly plankton, which is a type of insect found in the sea.
But Dr Simon Berrow, co-founder of the study group, said plankton was not found in tropical waters.
"It is in stark contrast to the type of waters that they are associated with," he said.
"It is a very different kind of habitat — it is akin to finding a polar bear in the desert."
(IT)
The shark, named Banba, was originally tagged off Malin Head but was rediscovered some 3,000 miles away off the coast of Senegal.
It was previously accepted that basking sharks were only found in temperate waters, but the discovery has offered an insight into where the five-metre-long female spends the winter.
The shark was tagged under the Monster Munch Basking Shark Community Awareness Project, run by the Irish Basking Shark Study Group with Inishowen Development Partnership and Queen’s University Belfast.
Most tagged sharks travel one or two hundred miles in winter and return to coastal waters in the summer when the amount of food available increases again.
Basking shark researcher Emmett Johnston said: "Up until now there have been lots of different theories put forward about the sharks and one was that they hibernated over the winter because there wasn't enough food in the waters around the north Atlantic.
"Other people said they went offshore and they have been tracked offshore in the winter.
"But we have been theorising that they head further south to where the food is, like the larger whales from this area."
Basking sharks are said to eat mainly plankton, which is a type of insect found in the sea.
But Dr Simon Berrow, co-founder of the study group, said plankton was not found in tropical waters.
"It is in stark contrast to the type of waters that they are associated with," he said.
"It is a very different kind of habitat — it is akin to finding a polar bear in the desert."
(IT)
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29 August 2003
Strangford Lough marked as basking shark 'hotspot'
A 15-year survey into activity in and around UK waters by one of the world's largest sharks has revealed that Strangford Lough is a regular visiting place for this underwater giant.
Strangford Lough marked as basking shark 'hotspot'
A 15-year survey into activity in and around UK waters by one of the world's largest sharks has revealed that Strangford Lough is a regular visiting place for this underwater giant.
13 July 2004
Survey to shed light on the secret life of basking sharks
This weekend the Ulster Wildlife Trust’s Basking Shark Survey 2004 set sail from Bangor Marina in search of the largest wild visitor to our shores - the basking shark.
Survey to shed light on the secret life of basking sharks
This weekend the Ulster Wildlife Trust’s Basking Shark Survey 2004 set sail from Bangor Marina in search of the largest wild visitor to our shores - the basking shark.
29 November 2011
Cold Comfort As Winter Deaths Fall
One of the coldest and harshest winters to hit NI in memory failed to cause any rise in the levels of winters mortalities. Despite the cold weather, last winter (December 2010 - March 2011) there was in fact a fall in the number of deaths registered.
Cold Comfort As Winter Deaths Fall
One of the coldest and harshest winters to hit NI in memory failed to cause any rise in the levels of winters mortalities. Despite the cold weather, last winter (December 2010 - March 2011) there was in fact a fall in the number of deaths registered.
19 September 2014
NI Bathing Waters Reach High Standards
The majority of Northern Ireland bathing waters met the higher guideline of 'excellent' standard for water quality last year, as set by the EU. In 2014, 16 of 23 identified bathing waters met the high standards as laid out in the EU Bathing Water Directive. A further six met the mandatory 'good' standard.
NI Bathing Waters Reach High Standards
The majority of Northern Ireland bathing waters met the higher guideline of 'excellent' standard for water quality last year, as set by the EU. In 2014, 16 of 23 identified bathing waters met the high standards as laid out in the EU Bathing Water Directive. A further six met the mandatory 'good' standard.
04 July 2012
Two Beaches Fail Water Quality Tests
Environment Minister Alex Attwood has revealed that extreme weather caused two of Northern Ireland's beaches to experience a temporary dip in water quality last week.
Two Beaches Fail Water Quality Tests
Environment Minister Alex Attwood has revealed that extreme weather caused two of Northern Ireland's beaches to experience a temporary dip in water quality last week.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:The day will be very windy with strong to gale force westerly winds becoming occasionally severe along the north coast. Sunny spells will be interspersed with scattered showers. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
