BOAT and jet-ski users in the Isle of Man have been warned to look out for basking sharks while on the water.
The basking shark season is between May and September and so far more than 125 sightings have been reported to the Manx Basking Shark Watch website.
However the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture (DEFA) and the Isle of Man Constabulary have appealed for sea users to exercise caution.
There has already been a sighting of an injured basking shark which is likely to have resulted from a collision with a vessel.
Basking sharks often swim with their dorsal fins just below the surface and don't necessarily respond to approaching vessels so it is the responsibility of boat users to take extra care to avoid injury.
The sharks are the second biggest fish in the world and measure up to 10metres in length. They are often spotted around the south and west coasts of the Island in places including Port Erin, Peel, Niarbyl and the Sound.
People have been asked to take extra care in these areas to limit disturbance and to avoid injury to the sharks. It is likely that basking sharks in Manx waters may be involved in courtship and other breeding related behavior so they must be given space.
People operating fast vessels including powerboats and jet skis are asked to keep their distance and reduce their speed to limit disturbance and avoid any collisions. Vessels should maintain around a 100 metre distance from the sharks and should never approach them.
Reckless or intentional injury and disturbance of basking sharks is an offence under the Wildlife Act and anyone caught doing either could be fined up to £5,000.
To report incidents of harassment or any other wildlife crime concerns contact Ian Scott and Mark Kerruish, police wildlife crime officers, via Peel Police Station on 01624 842208 or e-mail wildlifecrime@gov.im.
Reports of basking shark sightings can be made to the Manx Basking Shark Watch at www.manxbaskingsharkwatch.com.
