3.0. WHALE SHARK RESEARCH© MWSRP
3.1 WHALE SHARK RESEARCHOutline and Introduction
Key Whale Shark Questions
Common Research Techniques
Other research techniques used around the world
Getting involved in research
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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
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3.3. Research Techniques
Basic ObservationalResearch:
Physical characteristics e.g.SexLengthDistinguishing features
© MWSRP © Brent Stewart HSWRI
3.2 Research Techniques
Basic ObservationalResearch: 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
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3.2 Research Techniques
Photo Identification: Identifying individual whale sharks using photographs of their spot patterns
Special computer software is used to compare the spot patterns
Allows researchers to estimate population size, shark growth rates and movements 3. A match!
1. This area is isolated and the spot pattern is analysed by the software
2. The unique pattern is cross referenced against a
database of individuals
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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
Photo Identification
3.2 Research Techniques
Tagging
Visual tags are simply colourful numbered tags used to ID individual whale sharks
Telemetry tags are electronic tags that record information about location, depth and temperature
Tags are attached under the skin of the shark and either release automatically or need to be removed by hand
3.2 Research Techniques
Visual tag © Rachel Graham WCS
Satellite pop-up tag
Removing a telemetry tag by hand © MWSRP
TaggingInteresting 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.
3.2 Research Techniques
Telemetry Charts © Brent Stewart HWSRI
3.2 Research Techniques
Tagging
© 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
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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
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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
3.5 Getting Involved in Research
© 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
Include GPS coordinates where possible
© 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 commentsIncluding 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: 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
Male
Female
© 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
As a guide most snorkelers are roughly 2m with fins
© Kenneth Johnson, Eco Colors
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 commentsNote 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 commentsNote 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
