What happened in 2009?
This year the survey was carried out from Hella Point, a slightly more accessible watchpoint on Hella Point. 64 dedicated volunteers gave up their time to support the project and as a result carried out over 1000 hours of land based surveys. Around 200 basking sharks were sighted as well as grey seals, sun fish, whales (fin and minke) and several species of dolphins including common, bottlenose and rissos. One lucky volunteer even got to see a visiting leatherback turtle!
In 2009 the majority of basking shark sightings occurred within the first month of the survey (June). There was some indication that basking shark sightings might be linked with the tidal cycle, with more sharks spotted at low tide. It will be intersting to see how these findings compare with those of the 2010 survey. For more detailed results please download and read the 2009 survey report.
Huge thanks to all those who were involved, especially volunteer co-oridnator Mike Langshaw for his massive commitment to the project and to Britsh International Helicopters for 
funding.
What happened in 2008?
In 2008, Cornwall Wildlife Trust joined forces with Seawatch SW to establish its first effort based basking shark monitoring project based on the cliffs at Carn Gloose. 86 volunteers were involved in 71 days of surveys, and during that time basking sharks, bottlenose dolphins, common dolphins, harbour porpoises and seals were seen, with the highlight being the sighting of a fin whale!
