Basking Sharks and Seals
On Sunday I joined a one hour basking shark boat trip at
Peel breakwater. With life-jacket and
video-camera in hand, we set off, but it was soon obvious that the swell
prevented sensible use of a video-camera.
Luckily my sister-in-law still snapped a few photographs. After a twenty minute search with the help of
local fisherman, we spotted a twenty foot basking shark. Andy positioned and repositioned the boat
several times, each time stopping the engine, so that we could see the basking
shark only feet away. I thought I would
be terrified, but it was such a magnificent creature, harvesting plankton up
and down in an almost regimented manner.
Although wet with several unexpected waves, I was fascinated that we
have sharks in Manx waters and almost no-one ever sees them, which really is a
missed opportunity.
We then moved on to another sighting and watched a younger
and smaller twelve foot shark. We then
saw the shark swim alongside the boat, with the distinctive white lower body
and mouth wide open. Absolutely
stunning.
By now, we were close to an hour, so we moved on again
nearer the breakwater to catch some fish to feed the seals on our return. One fish later we returned to the breakwater,
where Phil tapped the side of the boat.
A large seal surfaced and Phil fed the mackerel to a grateful seal. We thanked Phil and Andy and disembarked.
I thoroughly recommend the boat trip, subject to tide and
weather conditions, of course. A genuine
bargain at only ten pounds per person.
You can contact Andy on the mobile telephone number 434457.
20ft Basking Shark
Seal
Editor