Sighting Details

This basking shark was feeding in the middle of Port Erin Bay, working its way backwards and forwards in what must have been a very productive little area as it was first reported to me at 13:30 and it was still there when I left the Cosy Nook Cafe at 17:00. Many hundreds of people were delighted by its presence. Most of them were watching it from the shore, some with binoculars and cameras others just staring out to sea, amazed by this wildlife bonus. Bob Taylor's boat Gemini sat in the middle of the bay for a long time whilst its passengers had the best view of a basking shark ever (I hope for some very good pictures Bob)! The 7th Wave sailing school students were briefed to keep a clear distance from the shark by their tutors and most of the many types of boat that went to be with the shark kept a very respectful distance. Well done everyone. Some people on the shore were saying that people shouldn't have gone out so close to the shark in boats as it put the shark and themselves in danger but from what I saw from my vantage point in the Cosy Nook Cafe the main problem seemed to be that because of the for-shortened view from shore it looked like the boats were closer than they actually were.

Onshore wind.