A massive basking shark, estimated to be around 35 feet in length, was spotted on camera near Arranmore Island in the British Isles. The gentle giant was seen swimming alongside other sharks off the coast of County Donegal, Ireland.

Despite its intimidating appearance, the basking shark poses no threat to humans as they are known as harmless creatures. These peaceful giants, ranking as the second-largest fish globally after the whale shark, can grow up to over 40 feet in length.

During a family charter trip, Skipper John Paul Baska from Northwest Charters witnessed the impressive shark, noting its size and the abundance of plankton attracting the sharks for feeding and fishing opportunities.

Basking sharks are commonly found in the northeastern Atlantic waters around Britain and Ireland, historically facing heavy fishing for their meat and oil. The species has been protected under various wildlife acts in the UK to prevent intentional harm or disturbance, with penalties including imprisonment and fines.

With their slow surface swimming and filter-feeding habits for plankton, basking sharks have been a familiar sight in the region for centuries. However, due to conservation concerns, the species is now classified as endangered in the North Atlantic by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.