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.

With access to the sea much easier and more people taking to the water, we believe sharks have always been around, mostly keeping far out to sea.

For the past 35 years we have regularly seen basking sharks in the Atlantic off Kerry’s coast — recording at least one sighting per year.

As marine wildlife filmmakers, the fact that we do around 5,000 sea miles per year has something to do with these sightings.

Not only this, we regularly see sun fish and other exotic species. Five years ago we swam with and filmed the largest fish in the sea — the whale shark.

This and other species can be seen in our film Ireland — Seabirds and Marine Life (see www.vincenthyland.com/sealife.htm).

Vinny Hyland

Patrick Kavanagh

Glenbeigh

Caherdaniel

Co Kerry