Scarring comparison
The whale sharks encountered in the Maldives frequently show signs of collisions with hulls and propellers, entanglement in fishing nets and, in a few cases, deliberate attempts at fishing.
In order to understand how human activities may directly affect the whale sharks it is important that the MWSRP, like other research teams around the world, record any evidence of injuries in a standardised way allowing us to measure the extent to which whale sharks are injured in the Maldives compared to those found at other aggregation sites.
In some regions of the world whale sharks are frequently seen with scars from predatory bites, this is especially prevalent in Australia where there are large numbers of other shark species large enough to consider attacking their giant cousins. However, it is exceptionally rare in the Maldives as there are very few large predators, the waters are too warm for the great white shark.
WS046 'Jordan'
Above and Below (WS046 'Jordan') displays scars on his right flank though to be results of being caught in a gill net.
WS046 'Jordan'
Because whale sharks have relatively small fat reserves when compared to cetaceans, corpses sink rapidly meaning fatal incidents often go unnoticed and unrecorded.
The pictures below portray another danger to these fish- Finning. The initial photo was taken in May 2008 (close to Dhangethi Island) when the wound was only days old. The second was taken a month later when the large male was re-sighted. The wound is not consistent with a propellor or shark bite as the cut is too clean.
WS067 'Joey'
WS067 'Joey'
Killing a whale shark enables their fins to be removed more easily. WS043 'Harpoon' (below), as he has become known for obvious reasons, was able to survive being hunted. The photograph was taken in April 2007.
Through studies on the shaft's barnacles it was determined that the wound was only 2 months old. Harpoon was re-sighted in May 2008 cruising the reef without the shaft through his body - a testiment to how resilient these huge fish can be.
WS043 'Harpoon'
WS043 'Harpoon'
In areas where shipping is more frequent whale sharks carry injuries sustained by collisions with boats.
Whale sharks, globally, are very frequently encountered with amputations and lacerations associated with small boat strikes. WS065 'Ayesha' (below) displays an amputation of the upper caudal lobe. The six and a half metre female is one of three sharks on the Maldivian database displaying the same amputation. It's clear to see that these sharks expend more energy just to cruise than sharks with complete tails.
WS065 'Ayesha'
MWSRP have been working with tour operators and the Maldivian government to develop guidelines to regulate whale shark orientated tourism. 2010 will see the Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme host training events for boats crews and operators in order to advise the safest and least intrusive way of encountering the sharks. Making encounters more enjoyable and safer for the tourists and the sharks.
An unregulated whale shark encounter