Amazing migrations

It seems that every day, satellite tagging and tracking of our ocean wanderers gives us new insights into the underwater world of our ocean planet.

Scientists tracking a basking shark that visited the UK for the summer, found the female shark made a trip of close to 6,000 miles to cross the Atlantic to visit Canada. On occasion, the shark dived to depths of half a mile. Scientists doubt this trip was unique, and may have uncovered a previously unknown migration route. Prior to this, little was known about where this population of basking sharks spent the winter.

The reasons for the shark's long journey, we can only speculate - feeding, mating etc. However, there is perhaps less to ponder when we hear that a polar bear landed on the shores of Iceland recently, about 500 miles off course. Many species around the planet are responding to the pressures of our changing climate. Let's hope we heed their warning.

Learn more about the work of tagging and tracking ocean wildlife at Tagging of Pacific Pelagics website.