• You sent far more reports in 2006 (506) than in 2005 (159). Thankyou and well done!
• 506  reports of 1 or more sharks were received.
• The total count was that 1167 individual sharks were spotted and reported (don't forget that many of these will have been reported many times).
• Most of these were in June (244) and July (199).
• We had 9 reports of newborn sharks of less than 2m
• AS IN 2005 The Isle of Man had more large sharks of 6-8m and more than 8m than would be expected comparing it to the MCS (UK) Basking Shark Watch data since 1987.
• Much more 'putative' courtship behaviour was reported than in 2005. This putative courtship behaviour was of basking sharks following one another very closely either one behind the other or parallel to one another. This is probably because there were more reports altogether and now the public knows to report this kind of behaviour to MBSW.
• We had 8 reports of sharks leaping clear of the water (breaching) in July. This behaviour is often associated with the other kinds of courtship behaviour.
• We had a charming report of 3 seals 'harassing' the basking sharks in Peel (complete with pictures)!
• BBC 'COAST' series filmed on the Isle of Man. Our basking sharks are featured!

The most interesting thing about 2006 (506 basking shark sightings reports) was that there were a lot more sightings reports than in 2005 (159 sightings reports). There are two main reasons for this. The obvious reason is that 2005 was the first year of the Manx Basking Shark Watch (MBSW) public sighting scheme so in some ways it was a bit of a 'practice' year whilst you, the public, found out about MBSW and started sending in your reports. Also, 2006 was a MUCH better basking shark year than 2005. There were many more basking sharks to be seen and they were closer inshore than in 2005 so people were able to see them better. Compare the 2 maps below to see this clearly (a picture is worth a thousand words)!

 

Map 1 (above) All (506) MBSW basking shark sighting reports for 2006. Note that there are dense clusters of sightings reports in the obvious 'hotspots' of The Sound, Port Erin Bay and Peel and Peel Headlands. it is much easier to see this pattern in 2006 than it was in the mapped data from 2005 (see map 2 below).

Map 2: All MBSW sightings reports from 2005. They do seem to be further offshore. 

 

Map 3 (above) All (47) MBSW basking shark sighting reports for May 2006 

 

Map 4 (above) All (244) MBSW basking shark sighting reports for June 2006  

 

 Map 5 (above) All (199) MBSW basking shark sighting reports for July 2006 

Map 6  (above) All (16) MBSW basking shark sighting reports for  August 2006

Table 1: Number of MBSW Basking Shark Sightings reports 2006
	May	June	July	August	Total
2006	47	244	199	16	506

 Seals Reported to be 'Nipping' basking sharks off Peel.

On 22nd of July MBSW received a report from Kirsten Harrison that basking sharks off Peel Breakwater were being harassed and nipped by the three Peel Harbour resident seals. Anyone who doesn't know how the Peel seals behave would think this was nonsense but having seen them steal fish off fishermens' hooks and eye up childrens' ice cream cones with a covetous eye I am aware that these aren't ordinary characters! To a lot of peoples great delight Kirsten sent us a photo showing a seal moving in for another nip. Just as well that seals are immune from human law or we'd have to prosecute them, harassing basking sharks is against the law!

 

Photo: Kirsten Harrisons delightful picture of a seal eying up a basking shark ready to nip it again. 

 We were delighted that two TV programs were made about our Manx basking sharks in 2006, Border TV did a news article but the big news was that the BBC 'Coast came to film our basking sharks for their Isle of man feature. Miranda was the beautiful and unflappable presenter and Doug Allen, world famous wildlife photographer was the photographer. It was filmed aboard Bob Taylors boat Gemini. The film crew were here for four days altogether and a good time was had by all. the weather deteriorated the minute the cameraman, soundman and presenter arrived but Bobs expertise and a guiding diving gannet allowed us to find basking sharks for them despite very rough seas. Well done Bob, Dave and John, crew of Gemini!

Miranda Krestovnikoff, the COAST presenter and Jackie Hall from Manx Basking Shark Watch.

Miranda, Doug Allen and John Paynton in a VERY small boat with an electric motor, filming a VERY big basking shark with a pole camera.

 

 Bob Taylors boat Gemini with a large basking shark in front of it. The filming for Coast was done from Gemini. Bob provides sharks, bird life, fishing, tea and EXCELLENT bacon sandwiches. this makes it the perfect filming platform. Photo by Graham Hall