Britain's Secret Seas Part 1: Giants of the West

In the first programme of the series (due to be broadcast on 8th May at 8pm on BBC2), the team - led by BSAC scuba diver Paul Rose - uncovers the world of the giants that reside in and on our Western seas.

A few metres off the Cornish shore, the Secret Seas team study Britain's largest fish, the Basking Shark. Despite growing up to 10 metres long, little is known about the Basking Shark, which makes effective conservation difficult. In an exceptional encounter, the team are surrounded by up to 12 sharks as they feed on microsopic plankton. Their shark expedition also takes them north to the Isle of Man.

In the waters of South Wales, marine biologist Tooni Mahto encounters an invading army of giant spiny spider crabs, whose legs boast a span of over 1 metre.

Over on Lundy Island, off the Devon coast, maritime journalist Frank Pope assesses whether the island's protected underwater 'no take zone' could be used as a template to establish a national network of marine nature reserves right around our island. Frank also reveals how our island stil relies on the sea to import goods from on board one of the biggest trans-Atlantic container ships in the world - the Atlantic Companion - as the vast ship brings its cargo into Liverpool Docks.

Then, in treacherous waters off the Isle of Scilly, Paul Rose dives the largest ship wreck in British waters to assess the legacy of the worst ecological disaster to affect our shores - the ill-fated Torey Canyon oil tanker.

You're in the right place! BSAC has long been in on the secret of how exciting our seas are to scuba dive - our members have been safely diving, exploring and enjoying Britain’s seas for more than 55 years - and we now want to share it with you.

We have friendly dive clubs all around the UK just waiting to get you started - with the right training and support, you could be very soon enjoying your own British diving adventure!

• Find your local scuba diving club (to either learn or try the UK way!)
• More on Learning to scuba dive
• Or call us FREE on 0500 947 202 and start a UK diving adventure of your own!

Britain's Secret Seas, BBC2, 8pm from Sunday, 8th May*

*transmission date could be subject to change