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International Team of Scientists Seek to Uncover the Mysteries of the World’s Whale Sharks by Tracking their Movements

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The Galapagos Islands are the only known location where large, female whale sharks that appear to be pregnant can be seen gathering from June to November each year. To date little is known about whale shark birthing habits or location, or their pups.

With the permission of the Galapagos National Park Directorate, experts from around the globe sailed to Darwin Island in the far northern region of the Galapagos Marine Reserve in Ecuador. The objective was to document the movements and behaviors of the world’s largest fish, the whale shark (Rhincodon typus), in order to better understand its natural history and improve international conservation measures.

Although whale sharks are found in tropical and temperate waters around the globe, little is known about their ecology. Most studies have occurred at locations primarily visited briefly by juvenile males perhaps to feed (e.g., Western Australia, Mozambique, the Gulf of Mexico, Republic of Philippines).  Few adult whale sharks have been seen at these same locations.  The whereabouts, movements, and behaviors of adult whale sharks has long remained a mystery, and scientists have rarely had opportunities to get close to them until now in the Galapagos.

Jonathan Green, project leader and member of Fundacion Megafauna Marina Ecuador, has been observing whale sharks at Darwin Island for over 20 years. “It became clear to me that we are dealing here with a very specific portion of the population. Almost all whale sharks we observe are large females, with distended abdomens, suggestive of pregnancy.”

In 2011, together with the Galapagos National Park Directorate and other partners, Green created the Galapagos Whale Shark Project. The project began an ambitious study to attach satellite tags to sharks at Darwin Island to track their movements. The initial results were surprising. The team found that rather than a resident group of whale sharks, there was a steady stream of whale sharks moving past Darwin throughout the season.

Although there may be only three or four whale sharks present at any given time, the turnover rate is around two days, so over a season several hundred sharks may use the site.”

Dr. Alex Hearn of Turtle Island Restoration Network and Universidad San Francisco de Quito has worked on the project since its inception.

We found that the sharks were moving over a thousand kilometers offshore along the equatorial front, then back again past Darwin to the highly-productive waters off the shelf break of southern Ecuador and northern Peru. Could these movements be related to pupping grounds?”

Only a handful of neonate (newborn) whale sharks have ever been reported, some from the bellies of oceanic mako and blue sharks, others from deep-water fisheries. Almost nothing is known about the early life stages of whale sharks.

Thanks to support from the Galapagos Conservation Trust and a private trust, this year we were able to bring together whale shark experts from all over the globe, a unique collaboration for a unique location,” added Green.

Dr. Brent Stewart of the Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute was one of the pioneers of whale shark tracking and has been studying whale sharks in waters around Kenya, the Maldives, Western Australia, the Philippines, Indonesia, and the Gulf of California. During the research cruise he attached long-term satellite tags to four female whale sharks. These tags will now provide information on movements for up to eight months.

We hope to document where these adult females travel and spend their time, how they interact with local and regional marine ecosystems, and perhaps too where they give birth and mate,” he remarked. The scientists also attached a further six short-term satellite tags and a custom camera tag.

Dr. Simon Pierce and Dr. Chris Rohner of the Marine Megafauna Foundation have been working with whale sharks internationally and are part of a global effort to maintain a photo database of individual whale sharks.

Whale sharks can be identified by the pattern of spots behind their gills, the equivalent of a human fingerprint. By submitting photos to www.whaleshark.org, an online collaboration system for whale shark researchers, we are documenting global connectivity between feeding sites along with the residency of sharks at particular favored areas,” explained Dr. Pierce. “Citizen science plays a key role in this effort, and any divers that have visited Galapagos can also submit their encounters to the global database,” added Rohner.

By taking small skin samples from sharks, Galapagos-born biologist Leandro Vaca of Galapagos Science Center, Universidad San Francisco de Quito and Ph.D. candidate Clare Prebble from the Marine Megafauna Foundation hope to determine where the sharks are spending their time and what they eat.

The tissue samples can be analyzed for their stable isotope levels and fatty acid content, which can then be related back to plankton samples we took during the cruise at Darwin,” explained Vaca. “Unlike at other places where whale sharks are regularly seen, the sharks at Darwin have never been observed feeding. Using tiny pieces of skin, we can compare the sharks’ tissue composition with samples from Peru and other locations to reconstruct their movements between feeding and possible breeding or pupping areas,” added Prebble.

Dr. Alistair Dove of Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta is leading the effort to take blood from the whale sharks in order to analyze their hormonal levels and carry out basic health assessments. “We have developed techniques to take blood under aquarium conditions, but applying them in the field presents huge challenges. After this trip however, I am confident that it can be done.” Dove was struck by the marine life at Darwin. “This is such a special location, not just because of the whale sharks. We encountered walls of hundreds of scalloped hammerhead sharks just off the reef on every dive, along with yellowfin tuna, bottlenose dolphins, silky and Galapagos sharks and green turtles. The Galapagos National Park Service have a jewel here, and we feel honored to be able to contribute to their work conserving the rich biodiversity of these islands.”

The Galapagos National Park Directorate is currently reviewing the zonation of the marine and terrestrial areas. The information gathered on habitat use for whale sharks and other key marine species is extremely important for this process,” said biologist Harry Reyes, Head of Marine Ecosystem Use and Conservation at the Galapagos National Park Directorate. His colleague Eduardo Espinoza, Coordinator of Marine Ecosystem Monitoring, explained that the Galapagos National Park Directorate carries out conservation actions for protected species in accordance with the international agreements and treaties to which Ecuador is party. Whale sharks are listed on the Convention of Migratory Species and are categorized as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.

Galapagos Whale Shark Project Partners

Turtle Island Restoration Network works to mobilize people and communities around the world to protect marine wildlife, the oceans and the inland waterways that sustain them. www.SeaTurtles.Org

Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute’s mission is “To return to the sea some measure of the benefits derived from it” by conducting research on marine fauna to support conservation and maintenance of vital populations on in healthy oceans.

Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that contains more than 10 million gallons of water and has the largest collection of aquatic animals. Georgia Aquarium’s mission is to be a scientific institution that entertains and educates, features exhibits and programs of the highest standards, and offers engaging and exciting guest experiences that promote the conservation of aquatic biodiversity throughout the world. Georgia Aquarium is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums. For additional information, visit www.georgiaaquarium.org.

CONTACTS

Jonathan R. Green

Director of Whale Shark Investigation

Fundación Megafauna Marina, Ecuador

jonathangwsp@gmail.com

Dr. Alex Hearn

Marine Science Advisor, Turtle Island Restoration Network

Professor/Researcher, Universidad San Francisco de Quito

Ahearn@usfq.edu.ec, alex@tirn.net

Brent S. Stewart, Ph.D., J.D.

Senior Research Scientist

Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute

bstewart@hswri.org

Sara Flores

Coordinadora de prensa

Universidad San Francisco de Quito

sflores@usfq.edu.ec

 

 

 

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Santa Divers take the Plunge for Charity

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santa divers

Ho Ho Ho! Vobster Quay’s recording-breaking charity Santa diving event returns on Sunday 15th December 2024 for another round of festive fundraising frivolities. Run in aid of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and Help For Heroes, this ever-popular annual fundraising event aims to raise sack-loads of cash for these two very deserving charities.

Divers of all levels are invited to grab their Santa outfits – and as much festive cheer as they can muster – and head down to Vobster Quay near Mells, Somerset for a mass sponsored Santa dive in aid of charity. In previous years, the event has attracted divers from the far corners of the UK to join in the festive merriment for a final festive dive before the Christmas and New Year break. Back in 2015, the event smashed the world record for the most Santa divers with 188 divers taking to the waters donning their festive finery – a record that remains unbeaten to this day!

santa divers

Vobster Santas isn’t just about setting records – it’s also about raising some serious cash for charity. Vobster Quay encourages all divers to get into the spirit of the season to raise much-needed funds for two very deserving charities – the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and Help For Heroes.

Through individual sponsorship and online donations, divers can invite their friends, family and work colleagues to sponsor them to plunge into the balmy waters of Vobster Quay dressed in full festive finery. Since the very first Santa dive in 2007, the event has raised over £52,000 for charity. “It’s been over 17 years since the very first charity Santa dive took place at Vobster Quay and every year the event just keeps getting bigger and better” enthused Vobster Quay owner, Amy Stanton.

“Vobster Santas is a great way for divers to say a massive thank you to the both the RNLI and Help For Heroes – two very deserving charities close to our hearts. We’re immensely proud of all that Vobster Santas has achieved and hope that even more divers will join this year’s event on Sunday 15th December. I’m confident that we can make Vobster Santas 2024 the biggest yet!”.

Divers wishing to participate can get involved by simply registering their attendance at
www.vobster.com/event-vobstersantas.php.

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Dive into Adventure at Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa: The Ultimate Diving Destination in the Maldives

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Maldives

Tucked away in the remote northern Haa Alifu Atoll, Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa is a premier destination for anyone seeking an unforgettable underwater experience. With over 30 dive sites to explore, divers of all levels can witness the unique and mesmerising beauty of the underwater world. Whether you’re a seasoned diver or new to the sport, Hideaway offers an exceptional diving adventure that is not to be missed.

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Explore the Beauty Beneath the Surface

Hideaway is perfectly situated near some of the most spectacular dive sites in the Maldives. The dive school and team at Hideaway offer a very personalised experience to ensure each diver gets an interactive, immersive experience.

maldives

Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com

Unique dive spots such as Theefaridhoo Thila (Heaven and Hell) as one of the 50 best dive sites in the whole of the Maldives, known for its beautiful soft coral gardens.

maldives

Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com

As the resort is located next to a channel which gives guests surprise visits from eagle rays, manta rays, guitar sharks and more.

Maldives

Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com

One of the standout features of diving in the Haa Alifu Atoll is the abundance of rare and exotic marine species. The area is known for sightings of whale sharks, manta rays, turtles, and a variety of colorful reef fish. Diving at Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa offers a rare opportunity to encounter these creatures in their natural habitat, creating lifelong memories for guests.

Maldives

Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com

Whether you’re exploring deep coral gardens, dramatic overhangs, or vibrant reef walls, each dive offers something new and exciting. The visibility in the Maldives is exceptional, often exceeding 30 meters, making it ideal for both underwater photography and general exploration.

maldives

Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com

Diving for All Levels

At Hideaway, we believe that everyone should have the opportunity to experience the thrill of diving. That’s why we cater to divers of all levels, from beginners to experienced professionals. Our professional dive center, led by expert instructors, offers a range of courses and guided dives. If you’re new to diving, you can start with an introductory course that will teach you the basics of scuba diving in a safe and controlled environment.

Maldives

Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com

For more experienced divers, we offer advanced dive courses and guided excursions to some of the more challenging dive sites. Our instructors are knowledgeable and passionate about the local marine life, ensuring that every dive is not only safe but also informative and enjoyable.

Maldives

Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com

Exclusive Diving Offer

To make your stay even more unforgettable, Hideaway is offering an exclusive diving package designed to enhance your experience both above and below the water. When you book a minimum 7-night stay, you’ll receive:

  • 35% discount on room rates.
  • Complimentary diving: 3 dives per person for 2 guests, allowing you to experience the beauty of the Maldives underwater world.
  • Free meal plan upgrade: enjoy a complimentary upgrade from Bed & Breakfast to Half Board, or from Half Board to Full Board. Guests who prefer the White Platinum Plan (WPP) can avail it at a discounted rate.

This incredible offer provides the perfect opportunity to experience world-class diving while enjoying all the luxury and comfort that Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa is known for.

Maldvies

Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com

Combinable Offers for Even More Value

This diving offer can also be combined with our Anniversary and Honeymoon offers, allowing you to create the perfect celebration package. Whether you’re celebrating a milestone or simply seeking a romantic getaway, this offer ensures that you can enjoy the best of both worlds – luxurious accommodations and unforgettable diving adventures.

Maldives

Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com

Terms & Conditions

  • This offer is available exclusively for bookings made through the official Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa website using a specific booking code.
  • The offer cannot be combined with other promotions available on the website or through other channels, nor can it be redeemed for cash.
  • All dives are subject to weather conditions, ensuring the safety and enjoyment of all guests.
  • Black-out dates: This offer is not available from 24th December 2024 to 9th January 2025.

To book this exquisite offer, use the Promo Code: SCUBA24FD

Maldives

Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com

Hideaway is not just a resort; it’s a sanctuary for those seeking peace, adventure, and luxury. With spacious villas, private pools, and world-class dining options, the resort offers everything you need for a perfect holiday. From tennis, golf, gym, cycling to the exquisite underwater activities, unique dining options, Hideaway has something for everyone. And for diving enthusiasts, it provides an unparalleled opportunity to explore some of the most beautiful dive sites in the world.

 

Maldives

Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com

Our dive center is fully equipped with state-of-the-art gear, ensuring that every dive is safe, comfortable, and enjoyable. Our instructors are passionate about the underwater world and are eager to share their knowledge with you, whether it’s your first dive or your 100th.

Maldives

Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com

The Ultimate Dive Adventure Awaits

If you’re looking for an unforgettable diving holiday in the Maldives, look no further than Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa. With over 30 dive sites, unique marine life, and exclusive offers, we provide the ultimate underwater experience. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply seeking adventure, our diving package offers exceptional value and incredible memories.

Maldives

Book now through our official website to take advantage of this exclusive offer and prepare for the dive adventure of a lifetime.

Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com

Call: +960 650-1515

Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com

 

Maldives

 

 

 

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