Abnormally large groups of basking sharks seen off Northeast coast

[jpak]

https://www.pressherald.com/2018/03/30/abnormally-large-basking-shark-groups-seen-off-northeast-coast/

Scientists say a species of large, but harmless, shark has been gathering in atypically big groups off of the northeastern United States and Canada.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says groups of 30 to 1,400 basking sharks have been seen in waters from Nova Scotia to Long Island, New York. The agency says sightings of basking sharks are common, but seeing them in such large groups is not.

The basking shark is the second-largest fish on the planet. It can grow more than 32 feet in length and weigh over five tones. It lives on a plankton diet and is not aggressive or dangerous to humans.

<not much more>

[magicarpet]

1. Shhhhheeeesh.... Scare the poop outta me swim next to one.

[jpak]

5. They feed at the surface with their dorsal fins above water.

They look like jet engines.

When they close their mouths though....

[Ms. Toad]

6. Remind me not to take you diving . . .n/t

[avebury]

2. I wonder if their gourging on plankton

in large numbers has played a part in the absence of whale births this year. They might be creating less food for the whales which may negatively impact reproduction.

[highplainsdem]

3. If they're looking for an extra-large high-fat Cheeto, they're too far north.

[roamer65]

4. The water is warming.

More plankton...for now.