 Basking Shark Facts
Name: Basking Shark Cetorhinus maximus (Gunnerus, 1765). Cetorhinus is derived from the Greek, "ketos" meaning a marine monster or whale and "rhinos" which means nose, while the species name maximus is Latin, meaning "great."
Size: Basking Sharks are believed to grow up to 10 metres in length but the average adult length is around 6.5 to 9 m. It is unclear exactly what size juveniles are at birth but it is estimated to be between 1.5 and 2 m.
Reproduction: There is limited information on the reproductive strategy of Basking Sharks, however they are believed to demonstrate yolk-sac viviparity (eggs are laid in the womb that hatch internally, the shark then gives birth to live young) with the pups demonstrating oophagy (developing pups feed on unfertilised eggs).
Food: One of only three filter feeding shark species, Basking Sharks feed passively on zooplankton and are thought to be capable of filtering over 1800 tonnes of water per hour.
Found: Basking Sharks have a circumglobal distribution and can be found in cold to warm temperate waters. They are pelagic sharks that are often seen singly or in groups of up to 100 feeding at or below the surface. Recent studies ( Gore, et al 2008, Skomal, et al 2009) have recently demonstrated trans-atlantic and trans-equatorial migrations by Basking Sharks.
Threats: Previously, Basking Sharks have been heavily fished for its liver oil, meat, fins and cartilage. Although now protected and under significantly reduced fishing pressure Basking Sharks are very slow to mature and so still remain listed as vulnerable on the IUCN’s Red List and endangered in the Northeast Atlantic and North Pacific.
Protection: Internationally, Basking Sharks are protected under CITES Appendix II, CMS Appendix I and II and Annex I of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). They are also protected from capture and disturbance in British waters (up to 12 miles offshore) under the Wildlife and Countryside Act. They are a prohibited species within the EU meaning that it is prohibited for Community vessels to fish for, to retain on board, to tranship and to land them in all Community and non-Community waters.  Download the Basking Shark Factsheet here
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Biology
sea after the Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus) and is a seasonal visitor to the United Kingdom coastline. Feeding only on plankton, Basking Sharks can grow up to 10 metres in length and weigh up to seven tonnes! That’s the same weight and 1.5 m longer than a red London Route Master bus!