John Giddings And Solo Music Agency Join Forces With University of Exeter To Back Groundbreaking Isle Of Wight Shark Study

Scientists from the University of Exeter are set to begin what is believed to be the first-ever study of thresher sharks in UK waters, focusing on the seas around the Isle of Wight.

The project has been funded by Solo Music Agency, founded by Isle of Wight Festival organiser and Exeter alumnus John Giddings.

Researchers say sightings suggest thresher sharks are seasonal visitors to waters off the Island.

The species, which can grow up to six metres long, is known for using its distinctive tail to stun schools of fish.

Despite increasing sightings around the Isle of Wight in recent years, little is known about why the sharks visit the northern English Channel.

Scientists hope the research will provide new information about their movements, feeding behaviour and mating areas.

John Giddings said:

“Hopefully my donation will help the scientists find out more about their habitat, and how to protect them and the oceans for the future.

“Being in a position to help my old university is a privilege. The university started my career, and to give something back is a great opportunity.”

Commenting on his fascination with sharks, he added:

“I work in the music business – I see the real ones!

"But seriously, there is something magical and beautiful about them, their shape, the way they move. I could watch them all day long.”

Dr Lucy Hawkes, from the University of Exeter, said:

“We think these waters could be a special place for thresher sharks.

“It’s thought that thresher sharks migrate seasonally into shallow coastal waters, possibly to mate, suggesting that the Isle of Wight could be a pupping ground.

“Little is known about thresher sharks globally, and we don’t have evidence on why they come to the northern English Channel.

“Learning about their movements, feeding behaviour and mating areas could help us protect this amazing species.”

Researchers say intensive fishing has caused Atlantic thresher shark populations to decline rapidly and the species is now considered to be in danger of extinction.

If numbers around the UK are increasing, waters off the Isle of Wight could represent an important conservation hotspot.

The project will involve the deployment of two electronic tags on thresher sharks in partnership with recreational anglers on the Isle of Wight.

Francesco Garzon, from the University of Exeter, said:

“The generous donation will fund an important pilot tagging study, hopefully laying the foundation for a larger-scale project investigating these sharks in UK waters.

"We are incredibly grateful to John for believing in the project and this team.

“In partnership with expert recreational anglers on the Isle of Wight, we will deploy two high-tech electronic tags on thresher sharks.

“Anglers are the absolute experts on this rare species, and have been keeping records of their appearances for years – it is thanks to them and their dedication to threshers that we can make this project happen.

“These tags will track the animals for a year, before detaching and transmitting data back to us – at which point we will find out what the sharks have been up to since we tagged them.”

The University of Exeter says it is seeking additional philanthropic support to expand the project, with members of the public able to contribute through the team's fundraising page.