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Basking shark sightings on the rise after slow start to season
27
Jul
2011
The number of basking sharks sighted on Cornwall Wildlife Trust�s Seaquest Basking Shark Survey, taking place at Hella Point, Porthgwarra, has risen in recent days after a relatively slow start to the basking shark �season�.
Basking sharks are typically seen in large numbers in late spring and early summer as they migrate up the Irish Sea. Cornwall Wildlife Trust believe that the relative absence of sharks in May and June may be explained by unsettled weather and sea conditions, which have prevented the sharks� food source �zooplankton� from forming in large �blooms� at the surface. It is thought that the more settled and sunny conditions in early July may account for the recent rise in sightings.
Rob Seebold, Volunteer Coordinator of Cornwall Wildlife Trust�s Seaquest Basking Shark Project says,
�The data gathered by our team of committed volunteers helps add to our knowledge of the behaviour patterns of this mysterious animal, and contributes to conservation of this endangered species in our waters. The survey is its third year and we still need committed volunteers until the end of August. So, if you�re interested in getting involved in this important project, love the outdoors and aren�t afraid of spending long hours in the field then it would be great to hear from you!�
Basking sharks have also been sighted recently off the North Cornish coast and from the Scillonian III. Marine Expert Paul Semmens, who has worked with Cornwall Wildlife Trust for more than 20 years, saw three sharks plus a plethora of marine wildlife on a recent survey trip.
Pauls says,
�The Scillonian is the perfect ship to encounter good views of cetaceans and something is seen most trips. We have had some great sightings on the Scillonian already this year. We have seen several groups of common dolphins, probably a total of about 50 animals on one particular day. We have also spotted harbour porpoises, a distant minke whale, risso�s dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, ocean sunfish and 2 basking sharks.�
�Sharks maybe appearing a bit more regularly now, hopefully the bad weather won't put the sharks back into deeper water. Things have been a bit slow this year with the sea temperature lower than normal, but we might see a late summer influx instead this year. With more seabirds being seen feeding things look promising for sightings in the late summer and autumn, a time when we get our largest numbers of animals.�
Cornwall Wildlife Trust is the county�s leading wildlife conservation charity and works to protect wildlife on land and in our seas. The Trust has 14,000 members and over 85 Business Members, which includes Isles of Scilly Travel.
As well as continuing the long term survey work for the Trust, throughout the summer season Paul will be working with both Cornwall Wildlife Trust and The Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust onboard Scillonian III one Saturday every month. Both Trusts are working with Isles of Scilly Travel to offer a special discount on their ever-popular wildlife watching trips.
Jackie Hayman, Isles of Scilly Travel�s Marketing Manager says,
�The whole team at the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group is delighted to support these valuable surveys and we�re really proud that our vessel, the Scillonian III, is central to the important work that Paul Semmens and the Wildlife Trust does. Both the Scillonian III and Gry Maritha provide year-round lifeline services between the mainland and Scilly and this is just another example of how they�re used for a whole host of different reasons. Last year Paul and his team spotted 1291 marine animals (compared to just fewer than 800 in 2009) and we are looking forward to seeing the results later this year.�
You can follow Paul�s wildlife sighting blog at www.ios-travel.co.uk or at Isles of Scilly Travel�s Facebook page.
Dates of wildlife day trips in 2011
Day return
Departing from Penzance at 9.15am
Returning from Isles of Scilly at 4.30pm
� Saturday 6th August *
� Saturday 24th September
� Saturday 15th October
(* Saturday 6th August trip will be part of National Marine Week and Whale and Dolphin week, departing from Penzance at 10.30am and returning from Isles of Scilly at 3pm)
To book your ticket please call 0845 710 5555 and quote WL001 to qualify for the discounted price of �30 return. Visit www.cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk/whatson for more information.
If you are interested in volunteering for the Basking Shark Project please contact [email protected]
ENDS
Contacts:
Rob Seebold, Marine Conservation Assistant, Cornwall Wildlife Trust, 07895 484564, [email protected]
Paul Semmens, Marine Wildlife Guide and Surveyor, Cornwall Wildlife Trust, 07899 872985, [email protected]
Photographs:
Basking shark, photo by Colin Speedie Swiss Shark Foundation
Common dolphins playing beside Scillonian III, photo by Paul Semmens
Hoping to spot a basking shark, photo by Emma Cunningham
Volunteering for the Basking Shark project, photo by Angie Gall
Editor�s Notes:
Cornwall Wildlife Trust
Cornwall Wildlife Trust is the county�s leading environmental voluntary body, with 14,000 members including 2,500 junior members and 85 Business Supporters.
The charity manages 55 nature reserves all over the county, including a range of habitats such as woodlands, meadows, wetlands and heaths.
The Trust runs a number of marine and terrestrial based conservation projects, including education work in schools.
The Trust hosts the Environmental Records Centre for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly (ERCCIS).
The Trust relies on charitable donations, grants and the generous support of its members and the general public to raise more than �1.7 million every year. Money raised is spent maintaining our work for wildlife conservation and education in Cornwall, for present and future generations.
The Trust is one of 47 in the UK. Together, they make up the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts.
Cornwall Wildlife Trust has Local and Specialist Groups based around the county. All play an important role in the Trust�s work and are always looking for more volunteers.
To find out more about Cornwall Wildlife Trust�s work, events and news visit cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk
Press contacts at the Trust:
Serena Pettigrew-Jolly, (01872) 273939 ext 205, [email protected],
Jasmin Appleby, (01872) 273939 ext 251, [email protected].
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