Basking Sharks, Not as Dangerous as They Appear

At first glance, the Basking Shark looks terrifying and dangerous. Although the Basking shark is the second largest fish in the sea after the Whale Shark, it is not as threatening as it appears feeding only on plankton.

According to the Florida Museum of Natural History Ichthyology Department, the currently accepted scientific name of the Basking Shark is Cetorhinus maximus. The name is derived from the Greek, “ketos” meaning marine monster/ whale and “rhinos” meaning nose. The maximus part of the name is derived from Latin meaning “great.”

Basking Sharks, like most other sharks, were previously heavily hunted for their oil, meat, vitamin rich livers, and of course, for their fins. Although there are now many conservation efforts in place to protect these sharks, according to The Basking Shark Project, Basking Sharks are slow to mature and grow which has kept them listed as vulnerable on the IUCN’s Red List.  

Location/Habitat:

·         Found in cold to warm temperate waters because they are a coastal-pelagic species.

·         A recent study, according to The Basking Shark Project, has shown these sharks to have a trans-atlantic and trans-equatorial migration

·         Found feeding/swimming at or below the water surface because they are pelagic sharks.

·         Can be seen traveling in pairs or in large schools of up to 100 or more.

·         In the spring the Basking Shark is found off the Atlantic coast of North America (North Caroline to New York)

·         In the summer these sharks head north and are found in New England and Canada.

·         During the winter months the Basking Shark cannot be found suggesting that they migrate beyond the continental shelf

Description:

  ·         Average adult length is around 22-29 feet

  ·         Average length at birth is between 5-6 feet

  ·         Typically gray-ish brown but can also range from dark gray to black

  ·         Extended gill slits that almost encircle the head of the shark

  ·         Extremely large mouth that contains hundreds of tiny teeth

Eating Habits:

·         One of only three filter feeding shark

·         Swims through water with its mouth open taking in food and water

·         Food is strained from the water by gill rakers

·         Capable of filtering over 1800 tons of water per hour

·         Feed in areas that contain a high density of zooplankton

Kayaker Josh Reeves dives into the Gulf to take a closer look at the rarely spotted Basking Shark

According to News13 in Panama City, FL, on March 17, Reeves and other beach go-ers spotted the massive Basking Shark swimming along the Bay County pier. 

Employees at Gulf World explain that this type of shark has never been seen in Gulf waters before. The Basking Shark is the second largest species of fish, the first being the Whale Shark.

Upon spotting the shark, Reeves, who works with a shark tour service in Panama City Beach, decided to kayak out to the shark and then took it a step father when he jumped into the ocean and swam alongside the estimated 25-foot long shark.

Top 5 Worst Shark Films according to Listverse

Listverse not only created a list of the top 5 best shark films, they also created a liste of the top 5 worst shark films in various categories.



5.Worst Special Effects:
Jaws 3-D




4.Worst Plot:

Raging Sharks





3.Worst Shark Sequel:

Jaws 4: The Revenge

 


2. Least Likely to Happen:

Mega Shark versus Giant Octopus




1. Worst:

Shark Attack 3 – Megalodon





Decoding Beach Safety Flags

Volusia County, along with every other county in Florida, has adopted the beach warning flag program from the International Lifesaving Federation. The warning flags use color to inform beach-goers of current water conditions.

Top 5 Best Shark Films according to Listverse

Listverse, a site designed to intrigue and educate, designed a list of the top 5 best shark movies in various categories.

5. Best Special Effects

        Deep Blue Sea

4. Best Plot

     12 Days of Terror

3. Best Shark Sequel 

 Jaws 2

2.  Most Likely to Happen
Open Water

1. Greatest
Jaws

South Florida Student Shark Program

The South Florida Student Shark Program was developed in 2006 in partnership with University of Miami Rosenstiel School, the NOAA LMRCSC & the Herbert W. Hoover Foundation.

The program was developed to help support the career development of graduate, undergraduate and high school students’ interest in natural science.

SFSSP also aims at encouraging students to take an active role in the conservation of coastal Florida shark species, mangrove fish habitat and the Florida watershed.

The South Florida Student Shark Program has seven main objectives:

1. Provide practical, hands-on marine science education and self initiated research project opportunities for high school, undergraduate and graduate students in the marine science field.
2. Develop students’ marine science skills
3. Provide educational and training opportunities for underrepresented students.
4. Conduct research in the subject areas of biology, genetics, chemistry, navigation, engineering and information technology
5. Aid in the monitoring of biological and environmental conditions of Floridian marine ecosystems.
6. Play an active role in creating, conducting and disseminating the program through service learning interaction
7. Eliminate general misconceptions about sharks and the Florida watershed

Swim Alongside the Whale Shark

Get the chance to swim alongside the world’s largest fish just off the coast of Mexico. 

Ceviche Tours guarantees that every guest gets the chance to dive into the water and swim with Whale Sharks during the Isla Mujeres Whale Shark Festival in Isla Mujeres, Mexico.

All participants will have the option to swim with a shark or can opt to stay on board and observe while taking pictures. Guest can either bring their own snorkel gear or use the ones provided on the boat. Snacks and drinks are also provided by the staff.

Boats hold a maximum of 10 guest and cost $125 per person.