Cetorhinus maximus

Order: Lamniformes

Second only to the whale shark in size, basking sharks are huge creatures, whose size seems all the more remarkable considering its sole diet of plankton. Basking sharks are usually seen swimming with their enormous mouths wide open, sieving tiny food particles from the water as they go.

Often seen close to shore, basking sharks are regular targets for eco-tourists, who can encounter these giants within a short boat trip. Commonly seen at the surface, they are remarkably tolerant of the presence of humans – a fact that has led to them being hunted for many years.

Like many other species of shark, basking sharks have been subject to intense fishing pressure. Their enormous size makes them highly profitable targets for fishing fleets – a single animal can yield as much as a ton of meat and 400 litres of oil, and their vitamin-rich livers can make up 20% of the shark’s total weight. Basking sharks are now protected by law in most countries where they occur.

Maximum size: 12 metres / 7,000kg

Distribution: Temperate and arctic coastal waters worldwide. Very rare in tropical regions.

Diet: Plankton, typically made up of invertebrate larvae, small crustaceans and fish eggs.

Reproduction: Unknown for sure, but believed to be ovoviviparous with very long gestation periods and small numbers of offspring.