How Ocean Conservation Projects Work With Whale Sharks

By Harold Moore


Whale sharks are quite simply enormous and are the largest fish species currently in existence. They are a slow-moving filter feeding shark and the largest ever confirmed was measured at 12.65 meters in length and weighing in at more than 21.5 tonnes, although it is thought that there are even larger ones patrolling the oceans. Ocean Conservation assists in their continued existence.

There are many ways to help conserve the seas and the seas. For instance, scuba divers can be trained to be more environmentally conscious when they visit the seas and the seas. They should treat coral reefs with care and respect because the coral reefs of almost all seas are being damaged by humans who either intentionally or unintentionally break the coral apart. Coral reefs are an essential section of the sea's ecosystem and are being subjected to manmade pollution which breaks down the coral structure. Once coral is destroyed, it is difficult to grow back, and thus many creatures in the sea that rely on coral are susceptible to extinction.

Considering their size you would think whale sharks would pose some danger to humans, however, in reality, they are docile fish and are not violent. Some divers have even suggested that the juveniles can be playful while they are in the water with them. One area where the sighting of a whale shark is reasonably common is in the Maldives, where a large preservation project of the coral reef includes the monitoring of whale sharks.

Research the Great White Shark- The Great White Shark is one of the most misunderstood creatures of the sea. However, this creature is an important part of the sea ecosystem and, as such, one of the animals focused on in the wildlife preservation programs in Africa.

Offshore oil exploration is a danger to the seas and the seas. The world relies on oil and the fact that there is a multitude of crude oil off the shore of many countries makes offshore drilling very profitable for oil production companies. But it takes only one mistake to cause an environmental disaster.

In the Maldives, the preservationists do not tag the sharks but instead use scientists and volunteers on preservation projects to track them by taking photos of the shark's gills. Interestingly, like a human's fingerprints, their gills are unique meaning that on a collection of photos and location data the scheme can track where the sharks have traveled - rather clever.

The whale shark is currently targeted by many commercial fisheries, the overall population of this particular fish is unknown, and along with six other species of shark, it is considered as vulnerable. Although they continue to be hunted in many areas for commercial purposes, the fishing, selling, importing and exporting of the species has been banned in the Philippines, India, and Taiwan. With more conservation wildlife projects taking place, hopefully, eventually the population will be recorded, allowing there to be some more hard facts on the future of the whale shark.

Combine this with estimates by the WWF that around 2.7 billion pounds of marine life are unintentionally caught, killed then thrown back into the sea and we have an urgent situation. As part of your work in conservation you may want to get involved with political lobby groups to encourage legal protections to be implemented.




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