Sharks don't spring immediately to mind when you think about Ireland's wildlife. Nevertheless, the waters around our island nation play host to a number of shark species, including the huge basking shark, second largest fish in the sea, which grows to an astonishing 14 metres (c. 46 feet) long; the mako shark, one of the fastest of all fish, and the most widespread of sharks, … [Read more...] about Blue Shark (Prionace glauca)
Fish
Atlantic Mackerel (Scomber scombrus)
The Atlantic mackerel is a common and widespread fish around Irish coasts. A favourite with anglers, it is often caught in great numbers during the summer when huge shoals move inshore to feed on vast numbers of herring fry and sand eel. Mackerel is a handsome, streamlined fish that belongs to the same family as tuna. Like its larger relative the mackerel is designed for speed … [Read more...] about Atlantic Mackerel (Scomber scombrus)
Basking Shark (Cetorhinus maximus)
The basking shark is the biggest fish found in Irish waters, and the second largest fish on earth after its Indo-Pacific cousin, the whale shark. Although it belongs to the same family as the notorious great white, and has more teeth than any other shark, the basking shark is actually a gentle giant. It's a filter feeder, and exists on tiny creatures that it sifts out of the … [Read more...] about Basking Shark (Cetorhinus maximus)
