Fishing basking shark – Photos from the hunt

Ready to harpoon the shark. Photo: Georg Tangen

Here are some photos from the 1970’s. The basking shark was then a common fish in the North Sea, and fishermen from Norway had hunted them for decades. The photos on this page show five different vessels. Above you see a vessel closing in on a basking shark, just a second before the harpoon gun is fired.

Fireing the harpoon gun. Photo: Ole M. Rogn
The vessel is shaking as the harpoon gun is fired.

Catching a basking shark. Photo. Ole M. Rong

The vessel forces the large shark to the surface.

Basking shark trying to dive. Photo: Ivar Dale

Again the vessel shakes as the shark tries to dive. The fishermen used a rifle to kill the shark – a shot in its head. The shark was then hauled towards the boat (see photo below). The harpoon was removed, and the fishermen used large knives to cut of the fins and to remove the valuable liver. These photos are historical; it is no longer allowed to hunt for basking sharks in Norway. More photos and information about this fishery can be seen on this page.

A dead basking shark. Photo: Ø. Tangen

Denne artikkelen har 2 comments så langt!

  1. Fish for a Basking Shark | Moth Balls says —

    […] Here are some photos from the 1970’s. The basking shark was then a common fish in the North Sea, and fishermen from Norway had hunted them for decades. More pics here. […]

  2. Augustus says —

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