3.0. WHALE SHARK RESEARCH
© MWSRP
3.1 WHALE SHARK RESEARCH
Outline and Introduction
© MWSRP
Key Whale Shark Questions
Common Research Techniques
Other research techniques used
around the world
Getting involved in research
3.2 Key WS Questions
What are the characteristics of different whale
shark populations?
What are whale sharks critical habitats?
How related are whale sharks around the
world?
Where are the mature females?
What is the cultural, economic and ecological
value of the whale shark?
© Scubasigns
3.3 Common Research Techniques
Basic Observational
Research:
All research programmes
record this information
at every whale shark
encounter
Useful when used with
other techniques such as
Photo-Identification
© MWSRP
3.3. Research Techniques
Basic Observational
Research:
Physical characteristics e.g.
Sex
Length
Distinguishing features
© Brent Stewart HSWRI
© MWSRP
3.2 Research Techniques
Basic Observational
Research:
Behaviour of the shark:
Feeding
Cruising
Evasive
Inquisitive etc
© Brent Stewart HSWRI
3.2 Research Techniques
Basic Observational
Research:
Environmental Information e.g.
Water temperature
Tide stage/ current strength and
direction
Visibility
Weather conditions
Prey sampling
© MWSRP
3.2 Research Techniques
Photo Identification:
Identifying individual whale sharks
using photographs of their spot
patterns
1. This area is
isolated and the
spot pattern is
analysed by the
software
Special computer software is used to
compare the spot patterns
Allows researchers to estimate
population size, shark growth rates
and movements
2. The unique pattern is
cross referenced against a
database of individuals
3. A match!
© MWSRP
3.2 Research Techniques
Photo Identification
Interesting Findings
Currently whale sharks photographed
in one region are not being
photographed by researchers in other
more distant regions
Suggesting sharks from different
regions maybe do not mix a much as
first thought
3.2 Research Techniques
Photo Identification
Pros
Cons
Inexpensive and simple - Anyone with
an underwater camera can contribute
Photo-ID is limited to those areas
accessible to humans with cameras.
Non-invasive technique
Based on two unproven assumptions:
1) Every whale shark has a unique spot
pattern
2) whale shark spot patterns do not
change
3.2 Research Techniques
Tagging
Visual tags are simply colourful numbered
tags used to ID individual whale sharks
Visual tag © Rachel Graham WCS
Telemetry tags are electronic tags that
record information about location, depth
and temperature
Satellite pop-up tag
Tags are attached under the skin of the
shark and either release automatically or
need to be removed by hand
Removing a telemetry tag by hand
© MWSRP
3.2 Research Techniques
Tagging
Interesting Findings
Whale sharks are highly mobile can
make journeys thousands of miles long
Whale sharks dive continuously
spending very little time near the
surface
Sometimes diving as deep as 1600
metres where the temperature is as
cold as 3 degrees Celsius.
Telemetry Charts © Brent Stewart HWSRI
3.2 Research Techniques
Tagging
Pros
Cons
Only viable option for learning more
about vertical and spatial habitats and
movements.
Telemetry tags are expensive
Information collected from tagging is
valuable for conservation and tourism
Controversial, as the technique is
seen by some people as too
invasive
© MWSRP
3.4 Other Research Techniques
DNA analysis
This can tell us how related whale
sharks in different areas are to
each other and whether sharks
from different regions are mixing
and mating.
This may help find and protect the
areas where reproductive
behaviour takes place
© Scubasigns
3.4 Other Research Techniques
Socio-economic surveys can
help to assign an economic or
cultural value to the whale
shark
If the value of the whale shark
is high then there is more
reason to implement
measures to protect them
© MWSRP
3.5 Getting Involved in Research
Tour operators can make a
valuable contribution to research
and give their trips an added
dimension. They should:
Get in touch with their nearest
whale shark research programme
Contribute to international whale
shark databases online
© MWSRP
3.5 Getting Involved in Research
The following information should be submitted
for every whale shark encounter. A form
should be used to ensure a standardized
approach:
Time, date and location
Photographs of the whale shark
Sex of the whale shark
Estimated length of the whale shark in metres
Distinguishing features
Include GPS coordinates where possible
Tag information
Any other observations or comments
© MWSRP
3.5 Getting Involved in Research
The following information should be submitted
for every whale shark encounter. A form should
be used to ensure a standardized approach:
Time, date and location
Photographs of the whale shark
Sex of the whale shark
Estimated length of the whale shark in metres
Distinguishing features
Tag information
Any other observations or comments
Including ID photographs (above) and
other observations (scarring, tags etc).
© MWSRP
3.5 Getting Involved in Research
The following information should be submitted
for every whale shark encounter. A form should
be used to ensure a standardized approach:
Male
Time, date and location
Photographs of the whale shark
Sex of the whale shark
Female
Estimated length of the whale shark in metres
Distinguishing features
Tag information
Any other observations or comments
© MWSRP
3.5 Getting Involved in Research
The following information should be submitted for
every whale shark encounter. A form should be
used to ensure a standardized approach:
Time, date and location
Photographs of the whale shark
Sex of the whale shark
Estimated length of the whale
shark in metres
Distinguishing features
Tag information
Any other observations or comments
© Kenneth Johnson, Eco Colors
As a guide most snorkelers are roughly 2m
with fins
3.5 Getting Involved in Research
The following information should be submitted for
every whale shark encounter. A form should be
used to ensure a standardized approach:
Time, date and location
Photographs of the whale shark
Sex of the whale shark
Estimated length of the whale shark in metres
Distinguishing features
Tag information
Any other observations or comments
Note down position of any obvious scars,
markings or tags
© MWSRP
3.5 Getting Involved in Research
The following information should be submitted for
every whale shark encounter. A form should be
used to ensure a standardized approach:
Time, date and location
Photographs of the whale shark
Sex of the whale shark
Estimated length of the whale shark in metres
Distinguishing features
Tag information
Any other observations or comments
Note down position, color, condition and
number of any tags
© MWSRP
3.5 Getting Involved in Research
The following information should be submitted for
every whale shark encounter. A form should be
used to ensure a standardized approach:
Time, date and location
Photographs of the whale shark
Sex of the whale shark
Estimated length of the whale shark in metres
Distinguishing features
Tag information
Any other observations or
comments
Anything else of interest – strange
behaviour, interactions with other sharks
etc
© Scubasigns