The National Trust team at the Giant's Causeway, County Antrim, have shared the story of a 'fishy tale with an Isha ending' after a carcass recently washed up onshore in the area of Portnaboe.
According to the National Trust, the team got a "big surprise" when they discovered the "huge" carcass washed up metres away from the rear of the Visitor Centre at the site.
The team soon set about identifying the species as a Basking Shark that had met its ill-fated end at sea.
A spokesperson from National Trust Giant's Causeway shared the story, saying:
"The Storytelling Team got a big surprise last month when they spotted this huge carcass washed up on the shore of Portnaboe, just 300 metres from the rear of the Visitor Centre.
"It was later identified by our Nature Engagement Officer, Dr Cliff Henry, as a basking shark.
"If you look carefully, the wide, gaping mouth can be seen, complete with gill rakers that help sweep the plankton from it's gills when it's feeding - the black, brush like bristles in the close-up pic (above).
"Basking sharks are by far the biggest fish to be seen on our shores and are the second largest fish on the planet! Only the whale shark is bigger. We usually only see basking sharks here in the Summer when there is plenty of plankton for them to feed on.
"They are thought to move to deeper water, further South at this time of the year. Like all fish, basking sharks have a cartilage skeleton, not bone."
The spokesperson continued:
"Sadly, the unfortunate shark had been floating around for several weeks before being blown onto the beach by a storm, and was already starting to decay.
"At over six metres long, and weighing in at over a tonne weight, it had the potential to create a very big stink within sniffing range of the Visitor Centre. Fortunately for our noses, mother nature saved the day. Along came Storm Isha and swept it back out to sea again. Phew!"