Doc's Threatened Species Ambassador Niclola Toki talks about this week’s critter - the Basking Shark, a charismatic and harmless shark species. It’s the second largest fish in the world and was once a common sight around central and southern New Zealand, now it’s virtually disappeared!
This species was recommended by DOC’s very own shark expert, Clinton Duffy. He's asking for the public to report any sightings of this species to the Sharks Mailbox (sharks@doc.govt.nz) or on iNaturalist, particularly if they can be verified with photographs.
Basking Shark from above and underwater Photo: Left Basking shark from above - credit rossbeane, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) Right Basking shark underwater - Photo credit Greg Skomal - NOAA Fisheries Service [Public domain]
