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Basking Shark Caught Off John O'Groats
Dave Simpson of Canisbay pulled in this 11 foot basking shark this evening
when he was out in his creelboat 'Capricorn' off John O' Groats. The shark
had become caught in a rope and was hauled aboard by Dave and crewman Mark
Fraser. It was thought to be a young shark, as the adult can grow
anything up to 12 metres and weigh up to seven tonnes - larger and heavier
than a double-decker bus. It feeds on plankton, filtering 1,000 to
2,000 cubic metres of sea water - equivalent to two swimming pools - per
hour.
The basking shark has tiny teeth and is
harmless to man. Basking sharks often swim in groups of three or four but
as many as 100 have been seen at one time.
They can be spotted off the coast of
Britain during the summer. Scientists have no idea where they go in
winter. It’s thought that they either hibernate near the sea floor or move
to other areas of the ocean.
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