In late August, Cat (Senior Conservation Officer) and Harriet (Data Analyst) visited Ireland for the International Conference on Basking Sharks, hosted by the Irish Basking Shark Group and National Parks & Wildlife Service. The Shark Trust hosted an online Basking Shark Forum in early 2024, however the last in-person conference dedicated to the Ocean’s second largest fish, took place on the Isle of Man back in 2009…so there was a plenty of catching up to do!

Ahead of the conference, Cat and Harriet, who between them coordinate the running and data management of the Trust’s citizen (or community) science projects, took the opportunity to visit Tralee Bay down in Country Kerry. Meeting up with Louise Overy from the Irish Elasmobranch Group, they got a tour of the best eggcase hunting beaches in the region. Over three beach trips, an incredible 274 eggcases were found (194 Undulate Rays, 13 Spotted Rays, 33 Thornback Rays, 17 Small-eyed Rays, 15 Smallspotted Catsharks and 2 Nursehounds) – not that the three of them were at all competitive in their efforts! The dream was to discover an elusive White Skate eggcase, but sadly it wasn’t meant to be this time round.

Then it was up to Galway for welcome drinks at Galway Atlantaquaria, before the conference convened at the Atlantic Technological University (ATU). Presentations covered a broad spectrum of topics and included the latest advances in research and technology - including an insight into the spectacular circling (‘torus’) behaviour that was documented in recent years - and showcased what conservation measures have been achieved since the closure of Basking Shark fisheries in the mid-1990s. During the conference, the Trust hosted a data management workshop to foster engagement in delivery of an online directory designed to signpost researchers and consultants towards datasets relating to Basking Shark sightings. The data directory is in the final stages of development so watch this space for updates.

The final day of the conference was an Ocean Literacy Day on Achill Island. The turbulent Irish weather prevented the planned headland walks and sea safaris from going ahead, but it was still a special experience visiting this region. Achill Island is entrenched in history for Basking Sharks as they were once captured and killed in Keem Bay from small currachs (traditional boats), before being processed at Purteen Harbour. The oil from their livers was used to power the streetlights of cities including Galway, Dublin, and Waterford. A talk from Achill’s last surviving Basking Shark hunter provided a stark reminder of how important this fishery was for the region and how many livelihoods counted on it. Thankfully, it also demonstrated how far things have come for this enigmatic species as they’ve made the journey to becoming protected as wildlife.

This conference offered a fantastic opportunity to reconnect with colleagues from other regions and focus attention on the awe-inspiring Basking Shark. A huge thank you to the organisers for bringing us all together, let’s hope it’s not another 16 years until we meet again!

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