Protection and the UK Biodiversity Action Plan - Levels of ProtectionFormerly hunted in UK waters for its liver (for oil), flesh and skin, the last directed fishery closed in 1995, and was reliant largely on the high value of fins (for the far eastern soup trade) to sustain it in the final years. In 1999 the basking shark finally achieved protection in UK waters under The Wildlife and Countryside Act, followed in 2000 by further protection against disturbance and harassment under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act. At the same time, the UK government was seeking to have the shark listed on Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). The first attempt in 2000 was narrowly defeated, but at the second attempt, with an updated proposal, the basking shark was finally listed under Appendix II. This means that any nation trading in basking shark body parts must obtain a permit to do so, and must keep proper records of the level of trade. The basking shark recently received further protection through the Bonn Convention, a European treaty on the Conservation of Migratory Species, after lobbying by the UK Governement.
The UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP):
The survey carried out by The Wildlife Trusts Basking Shark Project was structured to contribute directly towards many aspects of the National BAP, as well as local BAP’s. Specific areas in which this work contributed include:
1. The development of an adequate Code of Conduct for the species, including measures to reduce disturbance or harassment. 2. To quantify and monitor population size and movements in UK waters 3. To examine population trends, and to identify locations in which sharks mate, and in which pregnant females may reside, and to minimise unnatural mortality in these areas. 4. To raise awareness of the species and the threats that it faces in UK waters, and to disseminate the Code of Conduct to all interested parties.
Another element of our BAP work is the consideration of the negative impacts of boat strike, rope/net entanglement, and harassment. These can range from disturbing the sharks, producing characteristic scaring, creating deformities, or in some cases, the outcome may be fatal. Whilst these impacts are rarely recorded, anecdotal evidence suggests that they may be a serious issue affecting many sharks within our waters. The Wildlife Trusts, along with other BAP members are asking boat operators and members of the public to report instances of damaged or dead sharks in order to better understand this problem. You can use the online sightings form which can be found in the Help Us section of this site. Through the BAP group, The Wildlife Trusts are working alongside the partners and other organisations involved in basking shark research, both in the UK and within Europe to pool information, sightings and knowledge and ultimately provide an increased understanding and protection for this magnificent species.
As we develop our Basking Shark Project further we will do so with the BAP targets in mind.
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The Wildlife Trusts are Joint Lead Partners with the 
