Despite their huge size, these gentle giants are harmless filter feeders that cruise the world's oceans looking for plankton.
Ningaloo Marine Park is one of only a few places in the world where whale sharks appear regularly in near-shore waters in numbers, where they are easily accessible to observers
The annual whale shark aggregation at Ningaloo is linked to an increase in productivity of the region.
The whale sharks are most reliably seen swimming and feeding in Ningaloo waters from March to July before.
Some years they remain in the area into August and even September and October
Whale sharks reach up to 18 metres long, but at Ningaloo Marine Park they are generally between two and 12 metres in length.
A 12 metre shark weighs up to 11 tonnes and have a mouth over a metre wide.
They have three prominent ridges along each side of the body and a distinct pattern of white spots and stripes against a dark blue/grey background.
Whale sharks have a broad, flattened head, with a very large mouth nearly at the tip of the snout.
The eyes are small and located at the sides of their head.
Threats
In other parts of the world, they are hunted for their meat (known as ‘tofu fish'), fins are used for soup, liver for oil, cartilage for health supplements, and their skin for leather. No targetted legal fisheries exist, however little information is available on illegal poaching in some countries.
Boat strikes while whale sharks are swimming near the surface are a significant problem in the north-west of Western Australia, especially with the increasing number of boats.
Pollution, increased boat traffic, climate change and the world-wide growth of nature-based tourism are also contributing towards habitat loss, reduced food availability and reduced health of whale shark populations.
Play your part
Join a Ningaloo whale shark interaction tour—part of your fees go towards whale shark conservation and research.
Follow the code of conduct when watching whale sharks.
Reduce your boat's speed in areas frequented by whale sharks, and keep watch for them, especially during the whale shark ‘season'.
Never discard fishing line, nets, plastic bags and other rubbish anywhere, especially into the ocean. Collect and dispose of any marine debris you com across.
Contact local community groups or government departments involved with whale shark conservation to see how you can help.
Refuse to buy or eat whale shark products such as shark fin soup and whale shark meat (tofu fish) when overseas.
Whale shark management with particular reference to Ningaloo Marine Park 3.19 MB)