Basking shark  (Cetorhinus maximus)

This species was traditionally hunted for its vast liver, which was sold as an aphrodisiac in Japan, and also used by fishermen for lighting in the UK, whilst the oil was used in the manufacture of cosmetics (2). Due to its long maturation time and slow reproductive rate this species is particularly vulnerable to over-fishing, and targeted populations are very slow to recover from targeted fisheries (1). Today the biggest threat comes from the demand for fins for shark fin soup in the Far East and from accidental by-catch in the fishing industry (14). Although exact population figures are difficult to assess, there has been a reported decline by as much as 80 percent since the 1950s (2).

The basking shark is now protected in the territorial waters of some of the countries, including the UK, in which it occurs (2). In 2002, this species was accepted onto Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), thus reducing international trade in basking sharks (4). A three-year research programme in Britain is currently underway (9). The attraction of these large and appealing creatures for ecotourism may also benefit their conservation.