Basking sharks have been around for years

RICHARD COLLINS suggests that the basking shark may be making a comeback and that shark watching could soon become a major Irish tourist attraction (Irish Examiner, June 19).

The fact that recent sightings are on the increase, suggesting a comeback, is most likely due to a greater awareness and use of the sea by ordinary people.

For too long we have depended on the scientific community to estimate population increase/decrease and report on such sightings.