Basking Shark in the Bab el Mandeb

Abstract

WHEN passing through the Strait of Bab el Mandeb in November 1933 on board the Dutch mail steamer Johan van Oldebarnevelt, my attention was directed to the fact that a big fish was fastened on the bow of the vessel. So long as the latter continued running at full speed, the shape of the fish could not well be determined. It was evident only that the enormous tail was turned to the right side and could be seen moving now and then as if the fish were still alive, the tip reaching the surface of the water occasionally.