It is one of many ocean mysteries: where do basking sharks - the biggest fish in UK waters - go in the winter? A basking shark has been tracked with a satellite tag and was found to travel farther and deeper than known before, swimming more than 5,903 miles from British waters to the Canadian coast and diving more than half a mile down.

Research scientists are not sure why the 26ft-long female made the incredible trip, speculating she could have been looking for a mate, for a better food supply, or returning 'home' after a summer in British waters. Another option is that she was on a previously undiscovered migration route, prompting debate among some experts that basking sharks in Britain, North America, southern Africa and as far afield as New Zealand could be part of one big family. 'We're asking the questions - these are just some ideas we're thinking about why she chose to do what she did,' said Mauvis Gore of Save Our Seas Foundation, one of the team who took part in the project.

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