Anthropogenic threats to species
Human and environmental threats and Impact on migratory pattern
Overfishing
As other sharks, Whale sharks are hunted for both their fins and their meat. In parts of the world like Taiwan, Whale sharks are being overfished. They are currently the most expensive shark on the market. Obviously the hunting of Whale sharks does not benefit any aspect of their lives. Overfishing not only prevents the migration by killing the sharks themselves but also discourages other sharks from going into those areas as well. Destruction of Habitat Global warming, overfishing, invasive species, and pollution have caused a destruction of the habitat of the Whale sharks. There is not only direct impact on the sharks from these factors but also to the food they eat. With a decline in coral reef ecosystems the Whale shark populations are also on a decline as well. Their food usually comes from these ecosystems so when they are not in good shape neither are the Whale sharks. Coral reefs and other places being disrupted make up important feeding grounds on the migrational path. In addition, pollution and other factors are destroying not only these feeding grounds but the mating spots as well. |
Sound
Whale sharks use sound to determine pressure areas around them with their lateral line. Human impact of higher frequency sound in the water throws off the sharks on things like knowing where their food is or where to go in migration. Tourists There are strict regulations on the interactions people can have with Whale Sharks. But unfortunately too much interaction can drive whale sharks away from important mating or feeding grounds on their migrational path because of the tourists. Boats Whale sharks spend a lot of time on the surface of the water. Because of this there have been many reported cases of large gashes on the backs of the Whale sharks. These interactions discourage Whale sharks from coming to these areas where many boat strikes have occurred. Some of these locations can be crucial landmarks on the migrational path. |
Solutions
- Whale Sharks are legally protected, meaning that there is a ban on fishing and habitat protection, in Australia, Queensland, Tasmania, the Maldives, Philippines, India, Thailand, Malaysia, Honduras, Mexico, US Atlantic waters and Belize.
- In 1999 the Whale shark was listed on Appendix II of the Bonn Convention for the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS).
- The Whale Shark is listed on Appendix II of the Convention on Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
- The Whale Shark is included in Annex I (Highly Migratory Species) of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
- Working to create safer tourism practices so that people can both safely interact with the Whale sharks while swimming with them and prevent boat collisions with the gentile giants.
- Continuing to improve the scientific research done on Whale sharks so that we can know the most about them that we can. In this way we will be able to know where they like to eat, reproduce, and swim so that action can be done to protect them.
- Regulating international fisheries so that they do not continue to be overfished.
- Whale sharks are also victims of by catch. When they are not being targeted they are caught in the not selective fishing equipment that is being used. When they are released afterward they are often already dead. Work is being done to decrease by catch rates but much more still needs to be done.
- As shown in Sharkwater, making shark finning illegal all around the globe would also protect them.