New regulations, taking effect today, confer “protected wild animal” status on the basking shark under section 23 of the Wildlife Act 1976.

The 1976 Act makes it an offence to hunt, injure or wilfully interfere with or destroy the breeding or resting places of a protected wild animal.

Irish waters constitute one of the most internationally important coastal regions for basking sharks, a globally threatened species which faces a high risk of extinction.

As a further initiative, a code of conduct for the wildlife watching industry is currently being prepared by the National Parks and Wildlife Service to guide responsible and safe interaction with the basking shark in Irish waters.

Malcolm Noonan, minister of state for heritage and electoral reform, said: “We are living in an age of mass extinction. There is an urgent responsibility on all of us to do everything we can to reverse that trend.

“By strengthening protections for the basking shark, Ireland will play its part in offering improved protection to an endangered species that depends on our territorial waters to survive and flourish.

“This measure is a first step in additional protections for vulnerable species in Ireland. My department is working to further strengthen our wildlife laws to ensure that natural habitats are protected and restored, and to provide a better balance of safeguards for both marine and terrestrial wildlife.”

Charlie McConalogue, minister for agriculture, food and the marine, added: “I am delighted to be introducing this measure. Irish waters constitute one of the most important international regions for the Basking Shark. By strengthening protections, we are helping this iconic animal thrive in the seas around Ireland.

“In addition to this measure, my department continues to support conservation efforts for this species through the SeaMonitor project, a trans-boundary research initiative that is focused on developing research links between Irish marine research teams and our international partners.”

Work is also underway in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to review the Wildlife Act. This will involve an examination of protections and provisions in the Act and will enable further consideration of its effectiveness.