SIGHTSEERS and fishermen are being urged to watch out for basking sharks off the Cobb.

The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) says that the giant fish have been spotted earlier than usual in the country’s waters – including off Lyme Regis.

Day trippers on Harry May’s Marie F boat already spotted one the great creatures off the resort in April.

Now the MCS wants people to record sightings on its website and to load pictures on to its Facebook page.

The MCS is trying to build up a comprehensive picture of the habits of the gentle giants for its Basking Shark Watch programme.

The harmless creatures are drawn into our waters to hoover up plankton through their gaping mouths.

April’s warm weather resulted in more early close encounters – the animals usually appear in May.

The aim of the MCS is to help conservationists better understand the behaviour and needs of the sharks.

Dr Jean-Luc Solandt, MCS biodiversity policy officer, said: “The more we can map the location of these creatures over time, the more we can discover about their lives and ensure they continue to thrive in our waters.”

Day trippers on a mackerel fishing trip were amazed to see the basking shark within metres of the Marie F.

Harry May was returning to Lyme harbour with his group when he noticed the beast.

He said at the time: “It was in very shallow water and then we could see it, but only faintly, it was more of a dark shape.

“We followed it while it went around in a circle and came within 25 metres of the harbour mouth and then it turned around and went back out to sea.”

Dr Solandt urged caution as with sightings of all wild animals.

He said: “Although they aren’t dangerous to humans, their behaviour can be unpredictable and involve sudden leaping out of the water or ‘breaching’.

“Seven tonnes of flailing basking shark has real potential to spoil your day if you get too close, so we urge people to keep a safe and respectful distance.”

Go to <&bh"http://www.mcsuk.org">www.mcsuk.org<&eh> or <&bh"http://www.facebook.com/mcsuk">www.facebook.com/mcsuk<&eh> to log sightings.

Shark facts

The basking shark is the world’s second biggest fish.

They can grow up to 11 metres long and weigh up to seven tonnes.

They aren’t dangerous to humans but their behaviour can be unpredictable and involve sudden movements.

Basking sharks are the largest fish in British waters and one of only three plankton-feeding shark species.

They are more often spotted further out to sea but are also common around the Cornish coast.

They have been mistaken as Great White sharks by some in recent years.