Basking shark sighting from Calypso!!!

Us girls in the shop were very excited this morning when we received a call at 10.30 am from Steve our Calypso fishing boat skipper to say he had just sighted a 20 foot basking shark. It was seen swimming past the boat 3.5 miles off the coast due South of Soar Mill Cove.

Basking sharks are the second largest fish (second only to the whale shark) and they are filter feeders, feeding on plankton. They are often seen migrating past the south coast, but more commonly during July and August.

Steve was out on Calypso taking a deep sea fishing trip, and they did not approach too close so as not to agitate the basking shark, so sadly did not get a photo. We have reported our sighting to Seaquest South West, part of the Devon Wildlife Trust, and we'll all keep our eyes peeled for future sightings.

Bang and Go Back Race 2009

This bizarre and incomprehensible boat race is organised by Chris Turns as part of the Salcombe Festival. Come along and watch from Cliff House Gardens by the Yacht Club at 5pm this Saturday 13th June.

Old boats with stuart and brit inboard engines can take part - their throttle must remain at a constant level throughout the race, but speed can be changed by moving passengers from bow to stern. At the first hooters, boats leave the start line, in either direction. Every time the hooter is heard, the boats must all change direction. After twenty minutes or so of this banging and going back, the final hooter is sounded - then the first boat back to the Yacht Club Line is the winner of the Stan Turns trophy!

This event is a lot of fun to watch. Having said that, even we don't really understand it really....

Lifejackets for sale

We are currently selling some of our second-hand buoyancy aids - all sizes from kids to adults. Some have got small rips on the material or a dodgy zip that could be fixed but all are for sale for £5 ONO. Pop into the shop to have a look for yourself...

Basking sharks, dolphins, sunfish, seals....the list goes on...

The South Devon coast is a haven for marine wildlife - and we want to hear about what you see while you're out on the water!!!

All marine wildlife sightings can be reported to the Marine Life Information Network (MARLIN) on 01752 255026 or go to www.sealifesurvey.org or Devon Wildlife Trust Seaquest project on 01392 27428 or email dbrc@devonwildlifetrust.org

And we are keeping a list of exciting recent wildlife sightings in and around the area in the Whitestrand Boat Hire office, so do keep in touch with us!

Recently. basking sharks have been spotted along the coast off Salcombe (3rd May) and also further west near Wembury, Plymouth (31st May) plus the big lifeboat saw a small group of harbour porpoises out to sea on a shout on 20th May.