The basking shark is the second largest shark that lives in the waters of eastern North Pacific. Basking sharks got their name because they often basking near the surface of the water. Basking sharks are philtre feeders most commonly found in temperate coastal waters where plankton, their main food source, is concentrated.

Basking sharks are in the news lately because they are designated as "species of concern" due to a dramatic decline in its population as a result of overfishing.