3.0. WHALE SHARK RESEARCH © MWSRP

3.1 WHALE SHARK RESEARCH Outline and Introduction Key Whale Shark Questions Common Research Techniques Other research techniques used around the world Getting involved in research © MWSRP

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 © MWSRP © Brent Stewart HSWRI

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 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 © 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

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

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. 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 © 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

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 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: 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 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