Newfoundland and Labrador
Basking sharks


Basking shark: 8 meters; 3.5 tons

Into the spring biological explosion of marine life in Newfoundland and Labrador waters come basking sharks (Cetorhinus maximus), which are not mammals, but fish. The shark is so large that it is often mistaken for whales. The tip of its snout may be seen above water while swimming with its mouth open filtering plankton (red bait). Its skin is rough and grey and it has a 1 meter-large triangular fin. Although the basking shark is the second largest fish in the world (whale shark is largest), it is harmless to humans. This common shark has been seen often from the waterways of Signal Hill and on the ferry to St. Pierre and Miquelon.

If a fisherman sells part of a basking shark that was caught in his gear, he can get some money to help pay for his [gear] damage. The value of basking sharks is due to their huge livers, which are sold locally and made into oil. The oil is used on machinery and in making cosmetics, like mascara for eyelashes. One basking shark may have 1,000 kilograms of liver in its belly.

The many fins of the shark are also sold and dried. Then they are shipped to China and Hong Kong, and used in shark fin soup. Researchers are working to find uses for the hides, flesh, stomach contents and cartilage of this gigantic shark. Perhaps markets for these shark parts will develop in the future. If fishermen could sell most of the shark locally they could recover more than the cost of their damaged gear.

Source: "Getting Along" by the Whale Research Group, Memorial University of Newfoundland, 1984, P. 79

Others sharing Newfoundland waters

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