Tagging Maldives whale sharks

The BBC have an article on tagging whale sharks in the Maldives.  The project apparently started last year and is the first attempt to tag whale sharks in the Maldives.  The research group involved are from the Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme. They are trying to photograph each shark between the fifth gill and the side fin on both sides. Then they have some software which examines the spot patterns to see if it is anew find. The spot patterns act like a human fingerprint in terms of identifying these sharks.

So far they have recorded 106 whale sharks, of which 104 are male. And we think that China has a problem with gender imbalance!

The sharks are tagged with tags that record temperature, depth and light level. They are using satellite tags which can be programmed to release and bob to the surface. Last year they were set to release in 9 – 12 months, but this year they are setting them at 100 days. In addition they use archival tags which have to by physically removed by cutting the tether.

The researchers are also carrying out DNA analysis to see how closely the sharks are related to each other and to other populations around the world.

The BBC site, from where the above photo comes, also has some good photos. Plus there’s a video of the story of Joey, a whale shark who is lucky to be alive after his dorsal fin was partially severed by shark finners.

The Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme also has a website, with in-depth information on the photograph and tagging programmes, as well as their campaign to set up a Marine Protected Area (MPA). There’s also some great photos.