An Occurrence of the Basking Shark, Cetorhinus maximus (Lamniformes: Cetorhinidae) from Sagami Bay in 2016, and Previous Records of the Species in Japan

Abstract

A female basking shark (5710 mm TL), Cetorhinus maximus (Gunnerus, 1765) (Lamniformes: Cetorhinidae), was collected from a set net off Chojagasaki, Sagami Bay, on 29th March 2016. This occurrence represents the fourth record and largest specimen of the species collected from the bay. The frequency of occurrence in Japanese waters appears to be decreasing in the 21st century.