Boat Hits Basking Shark in Ireland

Oregon State University researchers have documented the first-ever video of a boat striking a basking shark off the coast of Ireland, revealing significant impacts on the shark's behavior and raising concerns about the risks of vessel collisions with marine life. The 22-foot female shark was tagged with a camera to monitor its feeding habits when it was hit shortly after the tagging, resulting in visible skin damage but no open wounds. Following the incident, the shark did not resume normal behavior for several hours, highlighting the potential long-term impacts of vessel strikes. In a separate incident, tourists at a Spanish beach were stunned to see a basking shark swimming close to the shore, with local authorities noting the shark appeared disoriented. These events highlight ongoing interactions between humans and sharks, emphasizing the need for further research and conservation efforts to mitigate such encounters.