Shark-Cast

Ben & Evan join Fiona and Shane at BSS HQ for a quick catch up. We get jealous hearing about what the boys were up to over the winter in Australia & Guatemala. Then what they are looking forward to this season.

Yes they do! Rachel & Shane talk about the common question that we are asked. Do basking sharks breach? They are the biggest shark/fish in the world to do so and there has been a couple of recent studies that have measured speed and other parameters. The researchers found that the speed basking sharks attain when they breach is similar to that of white sharks.  It is suggested that they breach for communication or courtship. Removal of parasites has also been suggested but perhaps more likely to be an ancillary benefit to the behavoir. Have you heard of the Carradale incident? Britain's only recorded death by (basking) shark attack. Listen to find out more!

Our second part of our chat with Colin Speedie.  In this episode, we move on from his survey work and that wonderful evening spent with numerous sharks. To the history of basking shark hunting, ranging from the the olden days many centuries ago, through to the post WW2 era and then the last of the hunting in the 90's.  We hear about the romanticised hunters of the post war era including Gavin Maxwell, along with the ruthlessness of the Norwegian whaling fleets, who over the period have through to have taken over 60,000 basking sharks. It's always good to have a positive outcome though, despite such hunting, the basking sharks somehow managed to survive and recovering with the help of modern protective measures!

Our previous head guide and all round man machine Luke, returns to Scotland for a Christmas break from his overseas job. We say job but it doesn't sound like a job to us! DISCLAIMER - if you are really down about the UK weather at the moment do not listen to this!!!!  After 6 seasons with us as head guide he scored a ridiculous job based out of the Seychelles and has been travelling the world filming amazing animals. Although he has experienced everything from sperm whales, white sharks to exploring Antarctica, he still has a big soft spot for the Hebrides! We are super proud of what he's been doing but also a tad jealous. Listen in to hear about some of his adventures around the big blue planet! 

Following on from our blog post and youtube video on the subject. We've recorded a podcast chatting about the same subject! Join us for a whistlestop worldwide basking shark tour discussing how the name came about, how the English name is different to everywhere else. How far down the rabbit hole of names, human and natural history go!? Should we start a petition to change the name, since it was based on wrong assumptions? If so what would you call it?? Should the public be trusted not to vote Sharky McSharkFace!?

In this episode Rachel & Shane discuss all the questions sent in by our audience. Including some of the following; Where do basking sharks migrate too? How many basking sharks are in the UK? What's the best time of year to see basking sharks? How long do basking sharks live for? Where do basking sharks gives birth? Why do basking sharks breach? Are there any known cases of basking sharks being predated by white sharks or orca? Do basking shark smile? and...........thanks to Jack- who would win in a fight, a whale shark or a basking shark Some of the questions you always want to know and some you never wanted to know! Look out for our next episode in the coming months!

In this episode we chat with the archaeological (Clare Henderson) and wildlife (Craig Nisbet) rangers of St Kilda, the island group which sits 100 miles away from mainland Scotland.  This rugged and isolated location has both an amazing human history along with extraordinary wildlife. It's home to a million sea birds, the highest sea cliffs & sea stacks in the UK along with being a duel UNESCO world heritage site. The island archipelago sits right out in the North Atlantic so has a well respected reputation for fearsome weather, but it's location also means it's a magnet for a whole range of wildlife above and below the waves.  Clare & Craig give us a glimpse into their lives on the island as they spend a summer season based out there. Tales of snedge the snowy owl, living in the luxury of the manse, commuting to work by helicopter, wild swimming, seabird surveys, weather, human history, penguins and of course the basking sharks, and specially the baby shark that was seen this summer past! It's a dream location to visit and one which is a difficult one to undertake with all the conditions required to come together. We are hoping to visit in May during a week based on Barra. Fancy joining us for a wild adventure!  Check out our trip here. For more information on the islands check out the NTS website here (National Trust for Scotland).

Welcome back to shark-cast, coming to you from the Basking Shark Scotland headquarters in Oban, Scotland. On this week's episode Shane and Luke have a good old reminisce about some of the highlights from trips in years past. If you have any questions or ideas for future pods, just drop us an email! info@baskinghsarkscotland.co.uk