Researchers are hoping to build a clearer picture of how endangered basking sharks use and behave in Manx waters, as sightings of the species have risen this year.
The Manx Shark Foundation has been created by shark scientist Gemma Scotts and fisheries officer Tom Morgan.
Morgan said that while recent basking shark sightings have been encouraging, there was still a lot to learn about the animals and what influenced where they were went.
Following several quiet years for sightings, he said: “We need to try and work out whether there’s a reason that they’ve come back.”
With “plenty of theories to look into”, it was important to understand if the increase was down to a specific reason “or whether it’s just this year they fancied a trip past the Isle of Man”, he added.
Working alongside UK marine conservation charity Mareco, as well as the island’s environment department, the Manx Wildlife Trust and Manx Whale and Dolphin Watch, the pair spent two years carrying out research before launching the foundation.
Their work has included underwater camera surveys, drone monitoring, analysing egg cases, and research with local anglers.
