WHALESHARKS

These massive creatures are perhaps the most gentle residents in the sea. Whalesharks are also the largest, growing up to 12 metres long. The ones seen most are usually in the 5 -9 metre range. They are closely related to bottom dwelling sharks, but are filter feeders like megamouth and basking sharks.

Whalesharks have no natural predators, except, of course, man. The species live in the warm bands of water that surround the equator and have been sighted in no less than 100 countries. However, protection for these gentle giants is poor. Australia, Honduras, Thailand and the Maldives have brought in legislation to protect them. Burma gave them protected status on the day they became independant and the Philippines have banned fishing. Sadly, illegal hunting continues and there are many stories on the internet of their capture and killing, particularly by Taiwanese fishermen.

We were lucky enough to be on board Ocean Rover at Richelieu Rock when we saw two, possibly three, seperate sharks on three different dives. In Burma, a day later, we saw another while diving Western Rocky. This was quite an event as after many years of frequent sightings sometimes as many as 40-50 in a season, 2000 - 2001 only brought one or two sightings. Ocean Rover logged 14 in 2002. Hopefully this means that govenmental policies are giving greater protection to the species and they will return to waters where they can be seen by all.

IN THE MALDIVES, where the some areas are better protected by fishing policies, it's possible to snorkel with whalesharks in the right season. In June 2004, we were lucky enough to see five separate adults at very shallow depths. Unfortunately for us, the water was murky - which is why they were up at the surface. The plankton in the water is their favourite food.

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