Go shark spotting in Newquay & win free flights from Jet2.com

Jet2.com, which flies to Newquay from Leeds Bradford and Belfast, has joined forces with the leading conservation charity to encourage holidaymakers to help the Shark Trust track the species this summer.

Anybody who emails in a picture of their basking shark sighting to sightings@sharktrust.org and mentions Jet2.com in the subject line of the email will be in with a chance to win free flights to selected Jet2.com destinations.

Al Reeve, Shark Trust Conservation Officer, said: “The Met Office has predicted a long, hot summer this year - the ideal conditions for spotting basking sharks. After two disappointing summers we are confident that this year will be a fantastic season for these sharks off Cornwall’s Coast.

"A protected species, basking sharks are the second largest fish in the sea, reaching up to 11 metres long. Unlike other species, they spend more time at the water surface, appearing to bask in the sun, which makes them easy to spot and enjoy. One of only three filter feeding shark species in the world, these mammoth fish feed on plankton, filtering 1,000 to 2,000 cubic metres of seawater per hour to extract its tiny prey.

"Cornwall is the ideal location for UK shark spotting this summer, especially on days when the water is calm and the sun is shining. The top five shark spotting destinations include:

• Gwennap Head
• Porth Curno
• Sennen
• Lamorna
• Kynance Cove

"At the Shark Trust we are keen to track regular visitors to the South West so if you see a basking shark we urge you to take a picture and send it to sightings@sharktrust.org. Not only will you be helping our conservation efforts, you could also win free flights which have been very kindly donated by Jet2.com."

"The Cornish Coastline also provides an ideal location for spotting mermaid’s purses (shark, skate and ray egg cases) which wash up around the coast. Email us about your finds or send pictures to sightings@sharktrust.org. For a free eggcase ID guide visit www.sharktrust.org.”

Philip Meeson, boss of Jet2.com, said: "Cornwall is well-known as a surf and foodie destination but we want to show people in the UK just how much more it has to offer. Many of the UK’s shark species live within deep waters but basking sharks come much closer to the surface. This makes the summer basking shark season in Cornwall a unique opportunity to view these magnificent creatures firsthand in their natural habitat.

"We want to help people get their very best out of their summer holiday. This joint initiative with the Shark Trust is aimed at getting people more involved in this country’s wildlife. We are very grateful to the Shark Trust for working with us to share their expert knowledge and highlight the fantastic wildlife opportunities available in this destination."

Fly to Newquay from Leeds Bradford and Belfast with Jet2.com this summer from just £2.99 one way including taxes. Visit www.jet2.com for more information.