Overcoming the problems of conserving the Basking shark; a highly migratory species

• Main Author: Highfield, James Mark
• Other Authors: Faculty of Science
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: 2001
• Subjects: Canis lupus; Cetorhinus maximus
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10026.2/2089

This investigation examines the current conservation status of the Basking shark, Cetorhinus maximus, the situation that resulted in the current status, and its possible status in the future. An evaluation of three pieces of legislation that directly promote the conservation of the shark was conducted and these three sets of regulations were; the CITES convention (1973), the UK Countryside & Wildlife Act (1981), and the EU Bern Convention (1979). The European Basking Shark Photo-Identification Project and the National Basking Shark Watch Scheme are two examples of British initiatives that are examined within this project as a means of promoting the conservation of the species and raising the public awareness of its plight. A series of interviews with people who have had some experience of basking sharks in their professional lives were conducted in order to determine the general opinions regarding the current level of protection that the species enjoys. These interviews provided an insight into the positive aspects of basking shark conservation and emphasised that considerably more effort needs to be expended if the shark is to be preserved. The role of the public in this effort is discussed and is believed to be very important in accomplishing this task and it is clear that public involvement needs to be maintained if marine conservation as whole is to be successful. The project also compares the recovery of the Common wolf, Canis lupus, in an attempt to extrapolate some of the possible effects of upgrading the CITES listing of the shark. It is possible to conclude from this comparison that the shark will benefit considerably from such a listing.