Western Australia is preparing for another successful whale shark season, following sightings of the world's largest fish at the Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Area on the State's Coral Coast. More than 29,000 people visited the World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef in 2017 to swim with the gentle giants of the sea that migrate to WA shores between March and August each year to feed on plankton and krill. Adding to the record-breaking year, 2017 saw a total of 1,742 tours take place across the season, with a whale shark sighting success rate of 94 per cent. Whale shark swim tours have begun operating from Coral Bay and Exmouth, and will continue through to July enabling visitors the opportunity to have a face-to-fin encounter with the friendly…

Thirty-three post hatchling loggerhead turtles will be released into Ningaloo Marine Park tomorrow after being found washed ashore along the south-west coast of Western Australia. The release is part of conservation efforts to help this critically endangered marine species, with only an estimated 1,500 to 2,000 females known to nest annually in WA. The turtles were among 54 found by community members on beaches and reported to the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA). Once reported, the turtles were taken by the Parks and Wildlife Service to Perth Zoo vets for assessment and transferred to two of the State's turtle rehabilitation centres at AQWA and Bunbury Dolphin Discovery Centre. When found, these turtles weighed between 100-200 grams and eight months on they now weigh…