Taggings galore

The taggings were carried out over just three days, mainly around Malin Head which is a known hotspot for basking shark congregations as summer plankton blooms begin to set in.

Apart from two relatively expensive satellite tags, which will follow a couple of the sharks pelagically over four months, all were simple coloured tags which will allow the researchers to learn about the creatures’ movements within Irish waters.

The Donegal taggings involved one of four colours, the other three of which are being used to tag basking sharks in other areas, including seas around Kerry and Cork.

Data collection will depend on sightings by research volunteers and members of the public willing to provide information.

The taggings were carried out by Dr Simon Berrow, of the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group, and Emmett Johnston, of National Parks and Wildlife Service.

Dr Berrow described the number of taggings achieved as “astounding”. “I would normally expect to be lucky if we tagged 50 in a whole year,” he told The Irish Times.

Funding for the coloured tags was provided by the Heritage Council. The satellite tags have been paid for by the Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology and Crossing the Line Films.

Project details – www.baskingshark.ie

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