The co-ordinator of Donegal’s Basking Shark Project says he hopes the magnificent creatures will return to our coastline in the coming weeks.
A basking shark off Inishowen
The monsters of the deep, which can grow to 38 ft long, are late arriving in Irish waters because of the lack of food as a result of cold water temperatures.
No sightings have been made of any basking shark despite dozens being made by this time last year.
Emmet Johnston said he thinks Donegal’s waters will be once again invaded by the giant creatures once the temperatures rise again in the coming weeks.
“We still have not had any sightings and it could still be a while yet.
“This time last year the temperature of the water was around 12 degrees but it is only half of that still despite the weather picking up now.
“I would be hopeful the sharks will begin arriving in numbers towards the end of April and we could actually have a glut of them in Irish waters,” said wildlife ranger Emmett.
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