SHARK INVASION

A mass sighting of basking sharks occurred in Kennack Bay, off the eastern side of the Lizard Peninsula, on the evening of 14th May, attracting massive media interest from as far afield as America.

Up to five-hundred sharks were observed from the shore, and by two fishermen who found themselves (to their consternation) out amongst them. Sharks of all different sizes could be seen as far offshore as Black Head, making this a unique phenomenon in recorded Cornish history; the previous largest gathering in Cornwall was of fifty sharks in 1994.

It is highly likely that the gathering was due to particularly favourable plankton blooms (the sharks are plankton feeders), held in the slacker currents of Kennack Bay, being exploited by the sharks. Coupled with the fine, warm weather, this made for an ideal chance for locals and visitors to have a grandstand view of these magnificent creatures, the second-largest fish in the sea. Sightings of up to a hundred were seen in the subsequent days, before the shoal dispersed entirely as the weather changed.

An intriguing factor in the story was the presence of a family of orcas in the area at the same time. These were often observed close to, or in the same bays as, the basking sharks, from Land's End to Gerrans Bay. As we have a previous eyewitness report of orcas attacking and killing a basking shark in Cornish waters, the inference must be that the orcas were following and preying on the sharks.

Colin Speedie

SEAL SHOTS

This year, the Seal Group has been compiling a catalogue of photographs of individual seals. This will continue through the summer and autumn. Every seal is identifiable from its pattern of markings.

Any photographs that you take of seals which clearly show that pattern would be very much appreciated - helping us to build up a picture of just how faithful individual seals are to specific localities.

A French student, Delphine Glain, is taking a leading role in building up this catalogue, and we are very grateful to her for her contribution. She is working with us for two months.

We will also be repeating the annual pup production and mortality census in the 1998 breeding season.

Stephen Westcott