A British underwater photographer has spoken of his up close and
personal encounter with Cornwall’s basking sharks.
Up to 40 of the giant sharks have appeared on Britain’s south coast in
the last two days, much to the delight of holiday makers and
enthusiasts.
For full story and pictures:
Reacting to a tip off from locals, underwater photographer Dan Burton
spent an entire day swimming and photographing the group.
“It was truly amazing,” said the 41-year-old from Exeter.
“Until I got into the water I didn’t realise how many there were – it
was unbelievable.
“At one point they were all over the place – as many as 40 at one time.”
Dan, who has spent several years following basking sharks, knew
Britain’s recent heat wave could bring the shark to the Cornwall shores.
“I got a call to go down to Cornwall on Tuesday (June 2) and I had a
good feeling I might see something special,” says Dan.
“I make an effort to get down to Cornwall to see the basking shark
every year but they are also seen in parts of Devon and Scotland.
“The basking shark feeds on plankton. All this good weather has
brought them to the surface and the basking shark has followed.
“It is believed they work their way up and down the coast line up to
Scotland and then in September time they disappear to other parts of
the world.”
Dan used all his experience to get these extraordinary images.
“To get pictures like these you need to be very gentle and patient,”
he said.
“It takes years of experience to get to know the animal, the
conditions, the food and the water temperature. So its a combination
of knowing all these things to get comfortable with these magnificent
creatures.
“As I say, it was unbelievable – very special experience.
“The fact that we have the second largest shark in the world right
here in the UK is fantastic.”
Words by Jack Fletcher
Pictures by Dan Burton / Barcroft Media
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