Born Free Foundation - Keep Wildlife in the Wild

The IUCN¹ Red List, which lists all rare species, classes basking sharks as ‘vulnerable’.  This means the species ‘faces a high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future’.

Basking sharks have UK protection but none elsewhere.  Since 2002 basking sharks have been listed CITES² Appendix II, but this only monitors, not prohibits trade so better safeguards are needed.

¹International Union for Conservation of Nature

²Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species.  CITES regulates trade in threatened animals and plants.