Basking shark that died at Sennen

[jane jackson]

Update on the basking shark that Bryan and I found being washed up already dead on Sennen beach on 11th August. There's an article in The Cornishman saying it was a male about 4 or 5 years old and was taken to Truro where a veterinary pathologist conducted the examination. It was too large to fit on the examination table or to be weighed on the scales. The shark had signs of having an inflamed stomach and damage to its gill slits "But there was no obvious reason for its death, although we're still waiting for other test results to come through. It was a very rare opportunity for us and a first for Cornwall" the pathologist said.

The article also said they don't know how long basking sharks live and they rarely see young small sharks. They don't know where the nursery areas for juvenile sharks are.
"Every litle bit of information feeds in with the bigger picture"

So glad I kept the telephone number! Wish I'd thought to take a photo but somehow because it was dead I didn't.

[Liz]

So sad when things like this happen - I hope the injuries were not caused by some man-made pollution, the inhabitants of our seas are so vulnerable to our 'excesses' and lack of thought. I wonder if they tested for any toxic substances found in its body.

[Kath Mulligan]

The article also said they don't know how long basking sharks live and they rarely see young small sharks. They don't know where the nursery areas for juvenile sharks are.
"Every litle bit of information feeds in with the bigger picture"



If that one was the one we were watching in June, it seemed to spend all of its time swimming to and fro just to the far side of the Cowloe Rocks, in exactly the same place we were watching two or three of the sharks last year too.

We saw several fishing boats going past very near to it, and a couple of canoeists too, but wouldn't have thought that they would have been the cause of the problem.

Kath

[adesmith]

Thats really interesting Jane. Its good that something can be learnt about young basking sharks, something positive out of a sad event. Isnt it amazing that there are still so many mysteries in nature!

I heard a brief reference on BBC Wales to a whale that was washed up at Barry. Didnt catch the details so I will have a look on the Internet. I know that a whale was washed up elsewhere in the Bristol Channel and maybe its the same one. A few years ago we had a whale washed up near Newport, it was quite a tourist attraction but we never made it over to see it.

[adesmith]

It was washed up at Barry and is now going to be used in a power station!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/8233358.stm

[jane jackson]

That was interesting about the whale too Adrian. They are large creatures to dispose of. Perhaps the basking shark ended up there too. Just imagine if you were swimming in the sea and the next wave brought in a dead shark or whale ~ how frightening that would be!

[Kath Mulligan]

Even more frightening if it were a live one, Jane!! :fie:;)

Kath

[gloria townsin]

Even more frightening if it were a live one, Jane!! :fie:;)

Kath



:biggrin::blink::biggrin:

[Gary Kennon]

Even more frightening if it were a live one, Jane!! :fie:;)

Kath

From a song I have not recorded yet I hope it is not considered in too bad a taste at present as it is a humerous song:-

"The Basking Shark's up with the lark,
He likes to get an all over tan,
Now he's nice and brown,
Going round & round,
In Rick Steins frying pan"

By the way I have now moved out and am living on my own so no problems with attending next year! Wahooooooooo!:dance3:

Big hug to all my Minack friends

Gary

[Kath Mulligan]

From a song I have not recorded yet I hope it is not considered in too bad a taste at present as it is a humerous song:-

"The Basking Shark's up with the lark,
He likes to get an all over tan,
Now he's nice and brown,
Going round & round,
In Rick Steins frying pan"

By the way I have now moved out and am living on my own so no problems with attending next year! Wahooooooooo!:dance3:

Big hug to all my Minack friends

Gary

Gary!!! I don't want to think about my basking shark ending his days in Rick Stein's frying pan!! (but it did make me laugh all the same!)

Glad to know that you won't have to suffer all that grief with irate phone calls again next year. Good luck.

Kath

[gloria townsin]

Gary a brave decision and I hope you will enjoy being the free spirit we got to know in March.

The song made me smile.....though I know it shouldn't. Noticed a horrible story in today's paper about dolphins being caught for the Japanese food market, the headline said something about in eating them people are being poisoned. Sounds revolting to me and the vivid colour of the sea surrounding these 'killing places' was enough to turn the stomach. Haven't plucked up the courage to actually read further.

[jane jackson]

I saw that dolphin article too Gloria but haven't read it yet either.

Your lyrics made me laugh too Gary even while thinking, poor shark.

[adesmith]

I wonder what would happen if they suddenly had a 'Catch of the Day - Basking Shark' sign at Rick Steins restaurant? It would probably become quite a trendy delicacy! (even if it didnt taste very nice) I think the Basking Sharks should stick with getting up early and getting there tan in the sea! Very amusing lyrics Gary, brought a smile to my face.

[gloria townsin]

You must listen to Gary's music Adrian......some great Minack songs....Rupert would like them too as they are very catchy.