Heading to the NE coast with @Perkins16Matt today to help examine something a little bit out of the ordinary- basking shark which live stranded at Filey, North Yorkshire on Thursday evening. More to follow... #CSIoftheSea

Here we go... #CSIoftheSea

All done- many samples collected, more updates to follow tomorrow. Huge thanks to all who helped today, @Perkins16Matt and I heading back to base. Car windows open, it’s beginning to get a bit fragrant in here... #CSIoftheSea

Back on it again after long day yesterday- I'll post updates through the day on what we learnt and what areas of research will be supported from the data and samples we collected #CSIoftheSea

Basking shark was found live stranded on Thursday in Filey, North Yorkshire. Initially refloated by members of public, but after restranding and assessment, was euthanised by a local vet. Body recovered and held for examination and sampling #CSIoftheSea

#CSIoftheSea examination carried out in Scarborough, following recovery by @ScarboroCouncil

4.54m male, thought to be juvenile on basis of length and appearance of claspers. Many thanks to team from @SEALIFEScarboro attending the exam for advice on this. Wide range of morphometric data collected, using a protocol derived from one developed by colleagues from @CefasGovUK

Damage to rostrum and leading edges fins thought likely to be consistent with live stranding. No gross evidence of significant trauma or disease found. Warning over some of the images coming up, they will be on the graphic side... #CSIoftheSea it is what it is

Large volume of ingested prey and some water in the stomach; spiral valve also contained digesta. So the shark had been actively feeding prior to death. No parasites or marine debris noted. Both collected for #microplastic analysis by @UniExeCornwall #CSIoftheSea

This link has more information on what a spiral valve is https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiral_valve