Conservation > Living Seas > Seaquest Basking Shark Project
Seaquest Basking Shark Project
Our Seaquest Basking Shark project involves trained volunteers surveying these majestic animals from a cliff top on the Land's End peninsula, as they feed and swim at the sea surface.
How the project works
Basking shark watches begin on the 1st June and end on the 31st August. Using the sightings data we aim to have a deeper understanding of basking shark distribution and behaviour in Cornish waters. In 2011 over 70 trained volunteers were involved with the project, building on the work of the previous two years' volunteers.
Our dedicated volunteers take turns on watch from Hella Point near Land's End daily from 5:30am until 8:30pm. Last summer sharks were recorded displaying behaviours such as figure of eight style swimming and even breaching (leaping out of the water!).
As well as looking for basking sharks, the team also keep their eyes peeled for whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals, sea birds, sunfish and leatherback turtles.
How to get involved
If you are interested in volunteering for our 2012 project we will be recruiting new volunteers all summer. If you'd like to volunteer or just want to know more about the project, please contact Jane Alcock, Project Co-ordinator by email.
