Born Free Foundation - Keep Wildlife in the Wild

Since 2001, Born Free has been sponsoring basking shark expert, Colin Speedie, and his volunteer research team, as they identify sites of high importance to basking sharks in UK waters and gather essential information about behaviour and ecology.  This scientifically structured, quantified effort survey uses benign photo-identification to provide vital information on shark distribution, population size, site fidelity and migration.  From May to October, the team study shark populations and what places they favour, Devon, to Cornwall, Wales, NW England, Northern Ireland and focussing on W Scotland.  Along the way the team generates vital public awareness for the magnificent basking shark. 

This project has a vitally important target, as once the shark’s distribution and life history is understood, practical suggestions as to ways that the level of trade (if any) should be set at without harming the overall population can begin to be made.  It costs approximately £2,500/week to operate the 11.7m research vessel ‘Forever Changes’, and without the help of Born Free it would be impossible for Colin Speedie and his team to operate.