Rare Basking Shark Found in Yucatán—First Ever Recorded

Progreso, Yucatán — The remains of a massive marine animal discovered near the fiscal pier of Progreso on June 20 were initially reported to belong to a whale, with an estimated weight of 15 tons. However, marine biologists later clarified that the carcass was not a cetacean but rather a whale shark (Rhincodon typus).

The case took another turn on June 21 when the Programa de Investigación y Conservación de Mamíferos Marinos de Yucatán (Picmmy) of the Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán (UADY) identified the specimen as a basking shark (Cetorhinus maximus), a species rarely seen in the Gulf of Mexico.

First Recorded Sighting in Yucatán

In a statement released on social media, Picmmy explained that the identification was made after analyzing the cranial and buccal regions with the assistance of Dr. Natalí Cárdenas, a UADY graduate and whale shark expert. The basking shark, classified as an endangered species, is the second-largest fish in the world, surpassed only by the whale shark.

Unlike the whale shark, which is commonly found in the region, the basking shark typically inhabits cold waters near polar zones. Its appearance in Yucatán marks the first recorded instance of the species in the state.

A Harmless Giant

Despite its imposing size, the basking shark is harmless to humans, feeding primarily on plankton. Authorities relocated the remains to a beachside area for further examination before burial.

The discovery follows recent reports of another rare shark species—a bonnethead (Sphyrna tiburo)—captured in Progreso, raising concerns about marine conservation efforts in the region.