They allow divers to approach them at close range. However, humans do pose a threat to basking sharks. Historically, this species was considered a valuable food fish due to its slowness, lack of aggression and abundance. The catch of these fish reached its peak about 100 to 150 years ago. They were hunted for the fat extracted from their livers - a medium-sized shark yielded 300 to 800 liters of fat, and in some cases more than 2,000 liters, as the huge liver of the basking shark contains up to 60% fat. They were hunted with a harpoon.
Today, the need for basking shark fat has greatly declined.
In addition to the liver, from which oil is extracted, these sharks are used as a source of meat, skin and fins. Their fins, as well as those of other shark species, are the basis for shark fin soup, which is popular in China. A pair of fresh fins is worth about $1,000 per pound in a fish market, while dried fins are worth about $350 per pound.
A large basking shark, about eight meters long, provides about a ton of meat and about 380 liters of oil.
On the Isle of Man in the Irish Sea, basking sharks can be seen as part of eco-tourism and whale-watching. The basking shark is protected year-round around the island. In the United Kingdom, due to a lack of knowledge about the habits of this species, a proposal has been made to ban fishing in all territorial waters.
