大象传媒

Gwennap Head in west Cornwall has become one of the best places in the UK to spot visiting Basking sharks.

大象传媒 Spotlight's presenter Victoria Graham has been out in the Cornish waters with volunteers from the Cornwall Wildlife Trust to monitor the visiting Basking sharks. Click on the link below to hear her report:

Last year an astonishing 656 basking sharks were spotted during a 2007 survey.

As the first basking sharks of the summer are spotted off the Cornish coast, the Cornwall Wildlife Trust is calling for volunteers to help them survey the species which are the second biggest fish in the world.

Photo by Simon Burt - CWT website

Harmless to humans, eating only plankton sifted from the Ocean, they can grow up to 12 metres in length and weigh up to 7 tonnes.

The Seaquest Basking Shark project, supported by the 大象传媒 Wildlife Fund, aims to collect important data on basking sharks from around the Cornish coast and to create awareness of these creatures and the threats they face.

CWT is joining forces with the SeaWatch SW project which carried out over 1000 hours of watches from Gwennap Head last summer.

During the Seawatch SW survey in 2007, six species of cetacean (whale, dolphin and porpoise) were also recorded, including a fin whale, the second biggest whale next to the blue whale.

Huge pods of up to 400 common dolphins were encountered and a massive 460 basking sharks were recorded during one day alone.

Basking Shark by Colin Speedie

This survey highlights the importance of Cornish waters for supporting an abundance of marine wildlife.

"Seeing a basking shark moving majestically through the calm water is truly a wonderful sight, and one which you will never forget," says Lauren Davis, a Seaquest Basking Shark Project volunteer.

"If you are over 16 and interested in spending some time sitting on the cliffs recording basking sharks and other marine life join Cornwall Wildlife Trust and SeaWatch SW this summer."

Previous experience is useful but not essential as training can be provided. For more information on how to get involved contact Lauren Davis on 07979 736661 or visit the CWT website: