A new conservation initiative, the Manx Shark Foundation, has been launched on the Isle of Man with the goal of gaining a deeper understanding of endangered basking sharks in Manx waters. The establishment of the foundation comes as researchers note a marked increase in sightings of the species around the island this year, following several quieter periods.
Co-founded by shark scientist Gemma Scotts and fisheries officer Tom Morgan, the Manx Shark Foundation will build on two years of preliminary research conducted alongside partners including UK marine conservation charity Mareco, the island's environment department, the Manx Wildlife Trust, and Manx Whale and Dolphin Watch. Their investigative methods have included underwater camera surveys, drone monitoring, analysis of egg cases, and engaging with local anglers.
A primary focus for the foundation is to ascertain why basking shark sightings have recently risen. Tom Morgan stated that while the increase is encouraging, it is crucial to determine if there is a specific reason for their return to Manx waters, or if it is a temporary phenomenon. The team will be analysing historical sighting records in collaboration with Manx Whale and Dolphin Watch to identify long-term patterns and explore how environmental factors, such as sea conditions and the availability of prey, might influence the sharks' distribution.
The foundation also places significant value on public contributions, with Morgan describing sightings submitted by the public as a "really valuable, wide-scale and cost-effective form of citizen science." Beyond basking sharks, which are classified as endangered, the organisation aims to address broader knowledge gaps concerning the island's marine life, including other species like the critically endangered tope shark.
The Manx Shark Foundation now stands as the Isle of Man's sole dedicated shark conservation body, succeeding the former Manx Basking Shark Watch. Morgan expressed the foundation's ambition to build upon the island's extensive history of shark research by raising awareness, fostering further scientific studies, and ultimately safeguarding sharks, skates, and rays in Manx waters for the future.