![]() Whale sharks are the world’s largest fish, growing to maximum known sizes of 18 m total length (TL) ( McClain et al., 2015). We argue that selection for sex-specific growth patterns could explain many of the otherwise enigmatic patterns in the ecology of this species including the tendency of the species to form aggregations of juvenile males in coastal waters. ![]() Other data including re-sightings of an individual male over two decades, records of sex-specific maximum sizes of individuals captured in fisheries and data from juveniles growing in aquaria were also consistent with the suggestion of sex-specific growth profiles for the species. Males had growth coefficients of K = 0.088 year –1, whereas limited resighting data suggested a growth coefficient of K = 0.035 year –1 for females. Females were predicted to grow to an average asymptotic length of around 14.5 m. We found that male growth patterns were consistent with an average asymptotic total length (TL) of approximately 8–9 m, a size similar to direct observations of size at maturity at aggregation sites world-wide and much smaller than the sizes predicted by earlier modeling studies. We tested this hypothesis by using stereo-video and photo-identification studies to estimate the growth rates of 54 whale sharks that were resighted over a period of up to a decade at Ningaloo Reef. Circumstantial evidence suggests that male whale sharks ( Rhincodon typus) grow to asymptotic sizes much smaller than those predicted by age and growth studies and consequently, there may be sex-specific size and growth patterns in the species. 4Department of Environment and Geography, University of York, Heslington, United KingdomĪge and growth data are central to management or conservation strategies for any species.3Georgia Aquarium, Atlanta, GA, United States.2The University of Western Australia Oceans Institute and School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia.1Australian Institute of Marine Science, Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia.Birt 1, Alex Aspinall 4, Kim Brooks 1 and Michele Thums 1 New to liveaboards? Check out our article on the World of Liveaboard Diving.Ĭheck out our article on the Best Liveaboard Destinations for Beginners.Mark G. When the wind is calm, finding the whale sharks is usually not difficult, but if the water is choppy it can take a while and get a little rough if you are in a small boat. There is also good scuba diving in this area, with colorful fish, many different nudibranch species and a good variety of macro subjects. The whale sharks are here to feed on plankton, and if you are lucky one will be remaining still feeding vertically in the water column. Local fishermen take you out in their pangas, picking you up from either the shore or directly from the liveaboard boat. Prime months for this experience are July, August, and September. Liveaboard trips often involve flying into Phoenix, Arizona and taking a van ride down to the northern tip of the Sea of Cortez. It is accessible via a long drive from Southern California, or via a liveaboard such as the Rocio del Mar. This explosion of nutrients also attracts a huge diversity of fish activity making which makes scuba diving with whale sharks in the Galapagos even more awesome! The Galapagos Whale Shark project is trying to learn more about why these adult whale sharks come to Wolf and Darwin.īahia de Los Angeles, also known as the Bay of Los Angeles, is in the northern Sea of Cortez, Mexico. ![]() Plankton starts to bloom thanks to natural upwelling currents and whale sharks come to the area to feed. #1 - Wolf and Darwin Islands, Galapagos - Diveįrom June to November, the weather and water temperatures in the Galapagos get colder. "Swim" means you can swim with the whale sharks and "Snorkel" means you can leisurely snorkel around the whale shark. In this guide, "dive" means you can scuba diving with whale sharks is possible. ![]() Here is our list of top six destinations where you can get in the water up close with the largest fish in the world. We've traveled the world to find the best places to swim & dive with whale sharks. It can be an extremely humbling experience to get in the water and swim with these beautiful and gentle creatures. Whale sharks are majestic and graceful giants of the ocean. ![]()
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