Scotland’s coastal waters are home to some of the most incredible marine wildlife, and among the giants of the sea is the basking shark—one of the largest and most fascinating creatures in our oceans. Today, we’re speaking with Shane Wasik, a marine biologist and founder of Basking Shark Scotland, whose passion for the ocean led to the creation of a unique experience that allows people to encounter these gentle giants in their natural habitat. From growing up by the coast to traveling the world before returning to Scotland, his journey has been shaped by a love for the sea and a deep commitment to sustainable wildlife tourism.
What led you to pursue a career in marine wildlife tourism, and specifically with Basking Sharks in Scotland?
I grew up by the coast and on boats a lot, I started snorkelling & diving pretty young. I went on to qualify in marine biology and ended up living my best life in New Zealand. After a few years in paradise I returned to Scotland in the depths of winter not particularly impressed to be back. However I was energised by all my overseas experiences and the people we met were stoked on the idea of visiting Scotland and seeing our unique wildlife and landscapes. We didn’t have any commitments so we could really get stuck into setting it all up. Our first season was great and the rest in history!
Can you tell us some fascinating facts about basking sharks that most people don't know?
They are the largest shark in the world to breach clear of the water. An amazing yet terrifying sight depending how close to you it happens. It seems to be the opposite behaviour to what you might think given their slow movement and small food source. They are related to big toothy sharks like great whites and mako’s so share some of the same traits that allow this explosive jump!
The biggest aggregation of sharks recorded in modern times locally was 918 shark sightings in one day. It formed part of an environmental impact assessment for an offshore windfarm in 2012. The sharks have been tagged and recorded to dive as deep as 1500m and travel nearly 10,000km. I could reel off a whole load more but you’ll need to join us on board to hear more!!
What makes Scotland an ideal location for basking shark encounters?
Scotland has always had a large population of migrating basking sharks, which is what led to the large fishing efforts for them after WW2. Thankfully they were protected at a similar time to the products being able to be made synthetically. Our seasonal seas are bursting with food during the summer which draws them to our coastline. However many observations and studies have shown that there are other behaviours they exhibit whilst here. It is suggested to be courtship, so they may also be mating in our waters. Although it’s not just basking sharks which are a sought after view. The Hebrides has lots of marine wildlife from the iconic puffin, whales & dolphins, sea eagles and the rich kelp forests to explore.
How do you ensure sustainable tourism while interacting with wildlife?
We have strict codes of practice for what we do. Using all my experience and observations from different marine encounters around the world I cherry picked the best bits. This fed into our own bespoke code of practicer in addition to some of the general advice that is available. I actually give lectures to masters students now on this very subject giving lots of practical examples of good and bad practice along with all the issues surrounding it. All our staff have a marine biology or similar degree along with a passion for wildlife so we are all advocate for soft encounters and sharing a marine conservation message.
What backgrounds and skills do your team members bring to the organisation?
We have quite a high bar to work as a guide with us. You do get to see and share amazing experiences but it is relentless hard work over the summer. It’s certainly not all sunshine and flat calm waters! Being able to keep a smile on your face and keep people motivated during bad weather & rough seas is one of the hardest things to do.
Our staff must all have a form of marine biology qualification along with knowledge and passion for North Atlantic wildlife. They have professional experience of both wildlife and water based guiding, whether thats snorkelling or scuba diving along with a variety of other things like medicals, first aid etc. We’ve had lots of diverse staff with a rich variety of experiences from around the world.
What are the biggest threats facing basking sharks today?
Following an estimated >100,000 sharks taken out in the last century by fishing, they will take a long time to recover given their slow maturation and reproduction. Locally we have the world first MPA for them and some great guidance for people to act responsibly when watching. There are still sharks that get caught in ropes and fouled by marine plastics. However the biggest threat is to their food. They eat tiny shrimp like creatures called Copepods which form part of the zooplankton floating around the ocean. They are directly effected by sea temperature as they prefer cooler waters. With changes happening, both where these copepods are in the water column and geographically round the coast could change. The sharks follow the food and it’s very big picture stuff, but changes to the basking sharks location will be a result of shifts in climate and ocean currents.
Do you have any personal favourite encounters or stories that stand out?
Now into our 13th season there are a few! The day we saw over 100 basking sharks and ended up anchoring the boat and watching them all go back and forth for hours. The night when we had a big group of sharks (>30) with the sun setting and the sharks breaching into the colourful sky. An amazing encounter with a sunfish, our 2 leatherback turtle sightings, the humpbacks lunge feeding, Ariel the friendly seal. A lifetime of memories! It doesn’t always come together on any given day but spend long enough out there you get to see the special things!
Find out more
If you’re inspired to see Scotland’s ocean giants for yourself, Basking Shark Scotland offers a range of tours, from 7-day shark trips, to lagoon visits and snorkelling adventures, allowing you to experience these magnificent creatures, along with all other Scottish wildlife, up close. To learn more and book your trip, visit Basking Shark Scotland Tours.
Come and join us!
Join us every Saturday at 10am at the Fittie end of Aberdeen beach for invigorating dips in the sea. The refreshing waters will not only revitalize your body but also uplift your spirits, offering a perfect blend of mental clarity and physical well-being.
For updates on volunteering at beach cleans, joining adventure days, and other upcoming events please see our social media pages.
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