Fin the name of the law

A Cork TD has welcomed new regulations giving the endangered basking shark protected wild animal status.

Irish waters constitute one of the most internationally important coastal regions for the species.

The new status was granted under the Wildlife Act and came into effect on Monday and gives basking sharks important additional protections.

Basking sharks are 1 of the largest in the shark family, with some growing up to 11 metres in length. They are not considered dangerous to humans.

Fianna Fáil TD for Cork South West and spokesperson on Climate Action, Biodiversity and the Environment, Christopher O'Sullivan said the new measure is a crucial 1st step in additional protections for vulnerable species in Ireland.

"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,” he said.

The order was signed by Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue and Minister of State for Heritage Malcolm Noonan.

Where an animal is protected under Section 23 of the Act, it is an offence to:

• Hunt a protected wild animal (unless under permission or licence granted by the department).

• Injure a protected wild animal (unless done while hunting in accordance with a licence or exemption cited above).

• Wilfully interfere with or destroy the breeding or resting places of a protected wild animal.