Irish conservationists and scientists have called on the Government to provide legal protection to basking sharks in Irish waters.
The Social Democrats have introduced a bill to amend the Wildlife Act, making it an offence to disturb or harass this endangered species.
Today is International Shark Protection Day and members of the Irish Basking Shark Group and Save Our Shark campaign have delivered a petition to Minster of State Malcolm Noonan to show public support for the new legislation.
The group arrived at the Convention Centre in Dublin by boat where over 7,000 signatures were handed over to Minister Noonan.
Achill in Co Mayo is a magnet for basking sharks during summer months. People flock here to get a glimpse of the majestic creatures as they glide along our western seaboard.
Now campaigners want to make it an offence to intentionally or recklessly injure, disturb or harass this endangered species.
Jennifer Whitmore, Social Democrats TD and a former marine biologist, has brought forward a bill to add basking sharks to the list of protected species under the Wildlife Act.
"Basking sharks are the second largest fish in the world. Around this time every year we can catch glimpses of these majestic creatures as they slowly meander up our western coast.
"Irish people may love basking sharks and delight when they see their tall fins breaking the surface of the water, but unfortunately Irish governments have never protected them. This is especially difficult to understand given basking sharks are now an endangered species. They need our help."
Sorsha Kennedy is a volunteer with the Whale and Dolphin Group
"Basking sharks are absolutely beautiful animals, up to 12 metres in length and three-and-a-half tons weight. We are so privileged to have them here.
"20% of the global shark population inhabit our waters and it is vital they are afforded the same legal protection as we see in UK waters and around Europe. The amendment to the Wildlife Act is urgently needed.
"It doesn't make sense that they are not protected here when the same animals are moving into UK waters."
Ms Kennedy is urging the public to be mindful of basking sharks at all times.
"Sharks are super popular and if you come and see them and have any encounter it's an experience that will stay with you forever. More and more people are in the water and enjoying the outdoors, but it’s vitally important that people are responsible in any interaction they may experience with basking sharks.
"It’s fantastic that people come and see them and appreciate them but we would ask that you observe them from a safe distance, be respectful of them and don't intentionally get into the water with them and never try to touch them.
"It’s very important that we don’t disrupt their natural behaviour which includes courtship and mating rituals, which is vital for reproduction and ensuring the future of the species," she said.
The basking shark has a long historical association with coastal communities along the western seaboard and was hunted in Irish waters for its valuable liver oil. Emmet Callaghan’s grandfather was a shark fisherman in Achill in the 1950s and 1960s.
He said: "Here in Purteen Harbour in Achill Island, the sharks would have been transported from Keem Bay where they were caught and processed here at the shark fishery. At its height, there were around 9,000 sharks fished here.
"My grandfather and his father before him would have fished sharks in Keem Bay. It was a way to be able to stay home during the summer time. They didn't have to go back to England to work and could remain here and earn some money.
"When the numbers started to decline, people started to realise they were being over fished and now numbers have started to grow again but recovery is slow.
"In the past four years we’ve started to see a steady increase in sharks returning from two or three right up to 60 this summer."
Mr Callaghan added: "During April and May this year we’ve seen hundreds of people come to Achill to catch a glimpse of the sharks and, on the banks going towards Keem Bay, they can see them in the crystal clear waters, swimming, basking and feeding, which is absolutely fantastic.
"From being told from my grandfather how the sharks were an important part of their lives for a different reason, now we’re more educated on the conservation of them and it’s fantastic to see the numbers growing.
"Everybody loves to see the sharks coming back and people come down and know the spots where they’ll catch a glimpse of them. During April and May this year many local videographers got footage of them.
"They’re very majestic animals, basking and gliding through the water. They’re a gentle giant of the sea.
"They’ve no teeth so they just feed on plankton but people are warned to stay away from them when they are in the water because of their size and the strength of their tails. They are beautiful to look at but from a very safe distance."
The Save our Shark campaign said it was hoping the proposed amendment to the Wildlife Act will receive cross-party support when it opens for debate in the autumn.
