Basking Sharks - The Global Dimension
Project Leader: Dr Mauvis Gore
Basking Sharks are an iconic endangered species that our high profile SOSF project has recently been identified as migrating across oceans, as well as along regional coastal shelves. This result has raised concerns that, if regional populations are interlinked, then heavy exploitation in one part of the globe may threaten the species’ viability in another. Therefore, it is proposed that the project will culminate in a global initiative to promote Basking Sharks as an iconic indicator of pelagic ecosystem health across other temperate regions.
The project will establish an international network of relevant researchers and centres, where necessary supporting new research initiatives, leading to a fuller and wider understanding of both migration patterns and conservation issues. The project will organize an international workshop to be held in the Isle of Man in late 2009. Project fieldwork will also continue in both Scotland and the Isle of Man. We will continue to investigate the extent of trans-regional migration, through further satellite and sonic tagging of the largest individuals and expansion of our photo-identification catalogue to include data from other participants around the Atlantic. In addition, we will expand our programme of DNA sampling directed at determining genetic linkage between regional populations. At the same time, the project will continue to raise public awareness and provide related environmental education to both young and old.
The project will establish an international network of relevant researchers and centres, where necessary supporting new research initiatives, leading to a fuller and wider understanding of both migration patterns and conservation issues. The project will organize an international workshop to be held in the Isle of Man in late 2009. Project fieldwork will also continue in both Scotland and the Isle of Man. We will continue to investigate the extent of trans-regional migration, through further satellite and sonic tagging of the largest individuals and expansion of our photo-identification catalogue to include data from other participants around the Atlantic. In addition, we will expand our programme of DNA sampling directed at determining genetic linkage between regional populations. At the same time, the project will continue to raise public awareness and provide related environmental education to both young and old.
Aims & objectives
- Global network of scientists: To date, collaborators willing to participate in the network include researchers from South Africa (Dr. Leonard Compangno), New Zealand (Dr Clinton Duffy, Dr. Malcolm Francis), Canada (west: Scott Wallace, east: Dr. Jeffrey Gallant ), USA (Dr. Greg Skomal), Isle of Man (Dr. Fiona Gell, Jackie Hall), Ireland (Dr. Simon Berrow), Italy (Fabrizio Serana) and Spain (Manel Gazo). Further collaborators will be sought from other countries including Portugal, France and Norway.
- Workshop: Scientists from the global network (see previous point) will be invited for a 3-4 day workshop to agree cooperation on a) determining migration patterns through photo-id, and satellite and sonic tagging, b) collection of DNA samples determination of population links and sizes and c) securing effective conservation measures for Basking Sharks. It is proposed to hold the workshop in the Isle of Man, where it is anticipated government will offer the costs of venue and facilities.
- Photo-identification: We use a telephoto lens to capture details of dorsal and caudal fins, together with any other individual specific features. This has proved effective in allowing repeat recognition of Class A and B individuals, displaying highly and semi-conspicuous characters. Our catalogue has developed since 2004, resulting in re-identification of individuals after periods of from a few hours to a few years.
- Satellite tagging: The satellite tags will be programmed to sample light, temperature and depth against time. In addition to the tags requested here, sponsorship will be sought for further tags from supporting companies, organisations and individuals.
- Sonic tagging: We plan to install a Vemco receiver, by the Tiree Passage in the Inner Hebrides, Scotland. This will allow us to test our hypothesis that individuals cross the Passage, a hotspot, in response to changes in wind and tide. By collaboration with managers of other receiver arrays via the global listening network, we may also in due course obtain records of tagged sharks covering longer distances.
- DNA sampling: We can now reliably obtain from Basking Shark, using a method developed by Alison Kock working on Great White Shark, small tissue samples for DNA analysis. DNA will be extracted, amplified and sequenced at the genetics laboratory of Dr. Mahmood Shivji. Sampling has been extended to the Isle of Man, Ireland and the north-west USA to date, while through the workshop, additional sampling will be encouraged in other countries.
- Public education and awareness: Dedicated pages will be established on the SOSF website to assist in raising awareness, to enhance the volunteer observer reporting scheme (observers will be able to report sightings, and upload photos and video clips), and to allow access to the photo-ID database. Newsletters and leaflets will be distributed through the West Scotland Large Marine Vertebrate Observer Network, and the Manx Basking Shark Watch. Talks will be given to local groups and at educational establishments and public aquaria. Press releases will be distributed to the media including through the SOSF PR officer, and exposure on radio and television further encouraged.