The bodies of two Basking sharks (Cetorhinus maximus) have been discovered in two separate incidents on the west coast of the UK.
The first was found tangled in lines attached to creels (lobster/crab pots) in Loch Broom in the north west Highlands of Scotland.
The fish was estimated to be around 9m/30' long and divers were called in to cut it free, but unfortunately it died before they arrived.
An attempt was made to tow the body to Ullapool, but it was too heavy for the boat and had to be left at sea. The Marine and Coastguard Agency is now trying to locate the carcass as its size means it could be a significant risk to smaller boats.
The second shark was found washed up on Niarbyl beach on the west coast of the Isle of Man.
Government marine officers carried out an initial on-site autopsy on the 7m/23' long male shark while further samples will be sent to Aberdeen University for analysis. The cause of its death is still unknown, but it is believed to have been dead for some time.
The Basking shark is the world's second largest fish, and is protected in UK waters.
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