There was a big buzz of excitement when news broke that a Great White Shark was spotted off the coast of Galway. So far experts cannot confirm if one of the ocean's top predators has visited our shores...but they are going to start looking this September.
Shark Awareness Day took place on Sunday, 14 July so it's a perfect time to celebrate the species we do know are floating around us with our friends from the Marine Institute.
They say that Irish waters are home to 35 species ofSsharks, from the small Sleeper Sharks, Dogfish and Catsharks, to larger species like Frilled, Mackerel and Cow Sharks, up to the second largest shark in the world - the Basking Shark.
The Marine Institute celebrates sharks of all shapes and sizes in the video series Sharks in Irish Waters. Press play up top to get some facts on the Sail Fin Rough Shark. There's a full YouTube Playlist to check out!
More Fin-Tastic Shark Facts
Learn more about sharks, skates and rays in Irish waters and around the world with the Explorers Fin-Tastic Sharks+ resources for children and teachers. There's information book, presentations, activity sheet and work book resources available for free from explorers.ie.
Sharks have been making the news for all the right reasons over the past few years, so read on to find out more about them and how important our waters are for them.
Baby Sharks
A very large shark nursery was discovered 200 miles off Ireland's west coast in 2018 by an Irish-led team of scientists. While surveying the seafloor at 750 metres deep, the Marine Institute’s ROV Holland I came across a huge numbers of egg cases, also called 'mermaid’s purses’. A large school of Blackmouth catsharks were present at the site and it is thought the eggs are of this species.
Angel Shark in Galway
One of the world's rarest sharks, the Angel Shark, was sighted in Co Galway in May 2023. The critically endangered shark was spotted in shallow waters by a group of local kayakers. Press play to watch the report from RTÉ News.
This species was once common along the west and south-west coasts of Ireland, but sightings have been increasingly rare in recent decades.
Aoibhinn, Bernie McNamara and Bláithín Kane from 6th class. Pic: Michael McLaughlin
Basking Sharks in Achill
Basking Sharks, are the second largest shark species in the world. With an estimated 10,000 breeding Basking Sharks left worldwide, the species has been classified as 'Endangered'. Basking Sharks have been sighted around Achill in Co Mayo and other parts of the Irish coast during Spring and Summer.
Over the past year, students from Dooagh National School in Achill have been learning how important basking sharks are to Achill and Ireland historically. The primary school students worked together to create giant Basking Shark sculptures on the seashore and art sculptures from marine litter.
They worked with artists, learnt about the work of shark experts and scientists from the Irish Basking Shark Group, produced e-books, and have campaigned to erect a sign at Keem Bay to advise boaters and swimmers about respecting this species. For their project work on Basking Sharks, Dooagh National School were winners of the Explorers Ocean Champion School National Award 2023-2024.
Mermaid's Purses
All skates and some sharks reproduce by laying egg cases, which are also called 'Mermaid’s Purses’. Empty eggs cases can be found amongst the washed up seaweed on the upper shoreline. The Explorers Fin-tastic Sharks+ Mermaid's Purse Identification Key can help you identify shark and skate egg cases found on the shore. Be a citizen scientist, and record your egg case finds at Purse Search Ireland.
