Huge numbers of basking sharks have been spotted off the coast of Co Clare in recent days, according to researchers from The Irish Basking Shark Group.
The sharks have been seen from Loop Head all the way to the Aran Islands as the creatures exhibit their counting behaviour.
In a video posted to Twitter by the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group, researchers filmed groups of the magnificent animals swimming in circles in the Atlantic sea.
“This is of global significance,” the group said in a Facebook post.
The group has previously described the waters where basking sharks have been spotted as “undoubtedly an important habitat for feeding and possibly reproduction.”
This is the third time that basking sharks have been spotted close to the Irish coast this year.
In May the animals were spotted off Co Clare and spectators marvelled at the sharks from Achill Island.
The Irish Basking Shark Group has been advocating for the Government to invest in the development of Marine Protected Areas in order to provide a safe environment for the basking shark species to thrive in.
In July, 10,000 signatures were gathered on a petition to protect basking sharks in Irish waters.
Last month, the group submitted a response to the government advocating for Marine Protected Areas.
