Cornwall Wildlife Trust says basking sharks are becoming increasingly rare in the south west.
She said: "In around 2012, basking shark numbers did decline in our waters.
"It's felt perhaps that they have sort of shifted further up north, following their key food source, this very particular plankton which prefers a cooler water, therefore we're not seeing as many here in Cornwall.Ms Crosby said basking sharks were a protected species, and urged people to keep their distance.'Susceptible to disturbance'
Ms Crosby said: "They're not the brightest of animals, they have a brain the size of a walnut, so when they are in our coastal shallow waters and they are focused entirely on feeding, they can be really susceptible to disturbance and to injury from other water users. "So we would just call out to the members of the public to keep their distance, admire these beautiful creatures from afar, and make sure they're protected for future generations to enjoy."Olga Bates, who filmed the video of the animal on Wednesday morning, said at first, she thought it was a dolphin until it turned side on.
Ms Bates and her family were staying in the area when they spotted the shark in the harbour from their apartment.
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