BOAT owners have been asked to exercise caution during the basking shark season after a shark was spotted with a damaged fin.
The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture and the Isle of Man Constabulary have issued the following advice from the Marine Wildlife Code of Conduct.
This applies to boat and jet-ski operators:
•Always look out for marine wildlife and seabirds around the Isle of Man and be extremely cautious in areas where basking sharks are seen breaching.
•Vessels under power should keep 100 metres away from basking sharks, whales, dolphins and porpoise and 50 metres away from seals. Jet-skis must stay at least 500 metres away. Keep 100m away from nesting, diving or swimming birds.
•If unavoidably closer than 100m switch the engine to neutral or cease power to avoid injuring
sharks.
•Limit your speed and travel without wake and avoid sudden speed changes when marine wildlife is seen.
•Limit encounters with marine wildlife to a maximum of 15 minutes and move slowly away if you
notice agitated behaviours or loud calling noises.
•Allow groups of marine animals to stay together - provide an escape route and avoid boxing them in. Don’t chase them.
•Avoid disturbing close groups of sharks as you may disrupt courtship behaviour.
•Remember that for every shark visible on the surface there are likely to be more hidden just below.
•When in doubt always give way to basking sharks!
