Fisherman Jimmy Price witnesses a rare sighting of a juvenile basking shark in the waters of Anglesey, sparking excitement among local marine experts and online communities.
Angler Spots 10ft Basking Shark in Anglesey Harbour
Veteran fisherman Jimmy Price experienced an unexpected encounter on June 16, 2024, while fishing along Holyhead Breakwater in Anglesey, Wales. Around 8 am, Price spotted a large dorsal fin protruding above the water, identifying it as a basking shark, a species known to grow up to 28 feet in length.
Price, a 59-year-old sea angler from Abergele, North Wales, dropped his fishing rod to film the unusual sight. The footage captures the 10ft-11ft juvenile basking shark swimming leisurely in the harbour before returning to the open ocean. Despite their intimidating size, basking sharks are harmless plankton feeders.
The sighting, the first official one of the season in the area, excited local marine experts at Anglesey Sea Zoo. The occurrence was considered positive, indicating healthy local waters. However, it sparked mixed reactions online, with some initially doubting its authenticity and others expressing astonishment.
