SEA LIFE Blackpool’s partnership with Manx Basking Shark Watch (MBSW) has this week been declared as success, as a rare basking shark was tagged off the coast of the Island

Following a 119 mile sponsored row to raise funds, SEA LIFE Blackpool donated a cheque for ?2,000 to Manx Basking Shark Watch to aid the ongoing conservation work in the Isle of Man area.

The rare sea creatures have in recent years been particularly scarce around the waters of the Isle of Man, where in the past they congregated in the hundreds.

This week saw a sudden influx, with 20 basking sharks spotted, ranging in size from 2.5m to 9m. Of the 20 spotted, three were successfully satellite tagged, with additional DNA samples taken and basking shark passports completed for 12 sharks.

SEA LIFE Blackpool General Manager, Rachel Sipes said: “We were thrilled to hear the news that Manx Basking Shark Watch had been successful in their efforts to tag a shark on our behalf.

“Shark tagging helps us to understand how habitat changes have affected sharks lives and how different shark species react to colour and shapes underwater. This valuable research will aid in understanding the movements of sharks in the wild.”

SEA LIFE Blackpool’s large male basking shark, which measures approximately 8m in length with a bulky physique and distinctive dorsal fin, has been named Flowrider, following a national competition to select a unique name for this very special creature. Rachel Smith, from Blackburn, was the lucky winner with her extraordinary suggestion, which captured the imagination of the team.

Jackie Hall, from MBSW said: “The donation from SEA LIFE Blackpool makes a real difference. We have two aims, to raise public awareness and to collect scientific data. There have been very few sightings of basking sharks this year so it is even more exciting that the team was successful in their mission to tag and record crucial data on those spotted this week.”

The satellite tag will transmit information about Flowrider’s whereabouts to the Argos Satellite Array high above planet Earth. The data will then be relayed to the scientist at Manx Basking Shark Watch who tagged the shark so that they’re able to follow its journey.