An English paddle boarding couple have reported seeing a rare basking shark off Wallace Island in the Gulf Islands, British Columbia. The fascinating creature which looks like a prehistoric monster was spotted in June 2024 by Nick Gallant and his wife, owners of Island Magic Experiences while on a paddleboard excursion.
Witnesses to a Rare Phenomenon
Gallant’s wife, who initially saw the shark, managed to capture footage that confirmed the sighting. This event has ignited excitement among nature enthusiasts and scientists worldwide. Basking sharks are extremely rare, although they do come up near the surface to feed.
Gentle Giants of the Sea
Basking sharks are filter feeders and the world’s second-largest fish known for their docile nature and distinctive feeding habits on zooplankton. Despite their enormous size, they pose no threat to humans. What makes them look intimidating and scary are their enormous mouths that take in huge amounts of plankton and fish.
Facts About Basking Sharks
Basking sharks can grow up to 12 meters (40 feet) long and weigh almost 13000 pounds (5,200 kg). They have six rows of teeth in their upper jaws and nine rows in their lower jaws, totaling about 1,500 tiny teeth. Basking sharks are filter feeding solitary fish that can live between 50 to 100 years. An adult basking shark swims at an average speed of two knots during which it passes about 2,000 gallons of water over its gills per hour! An Adult shark will always have approximately a half-ton of food in its stomach.
Habitat
Basking sharks are found worldwide, from arctic to tropical waters, commonly seen in coastal temperate regions like California. Scientists believe a single population migrates seasonally along the Pacific coast of North America, from Canada to central California. They are also sighted across the Pacific, including Hawaii, Japan, China, and Taiwan. Studies in the North Atlantic show their ability to migrate long distances, but the full range in the North Pacific is unknown. Reporting sightings can help fill these knowledge gaps.
Historical Context and Decline
Once abundant off the B.C. coast, basking shark sightings have become increasingly rare since 1994. In fact, up to 90 per cent of basking sharks were destroyed from 1955 to 1969 by rampant fishing often getting caught and entangled in fishing nets. According to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), there has been a huge decline in their population which is why they are now considered an endangered species. In Atlantic Canada, there are an estimated 10,000 although the number might be less.
A Beacon of Hope for Marine Biodiversity
The recent sighting of a basking shark off B.C has fueled optimism for the species’ recovery. Experts like Scott Wallace, co-owner of Outer Shores Lodge, compare the rarity of seeing a basking shark to encountering a unicorn, emphasizing the significance of this event.
Conservation Efforts and Future Prospects
The footage and subsequent attention highlight the need for continued conservation efforts. The sighting has reinvigorated interest in protecting these majestic creatures and restoring their populations in the region.
Marine experts feel that seeing a basking shark off B.C. might just rekindle awareness about this magnificent creature where increased awareness and protective measures could ensure these gentle giants thrive once again in the waters off the West Coast. Moreover, local communities and conservationists are hopeful that the basking shark’s presence indicates a positive shift in the marine ecosystem.
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