Whale Sharks – An Endangered Species
Whale sharks are one of the ocean’s most majestic creatures — and sadly, one of the most threatened. Notably, these gentle giants are the world’s largest living fish. They once gathered predictably at Gladden Spit each spring to feed. Today, overfishing and habitat loss have caused a dramatic decline in their numbers.
Ten years ago, you could go on a whale shark tour at Gladden Spit and almost be certain of seeing at least one whale shark and you would probably see several. In recent years, there have been very few sightings. What happened to this endangered species?
Feeding Habits and Seasonal Visits
Whale sharks are filter feeders. They eat zooplankton, fish spawn, small fish, and crustaceans. Traditionally, they came to Gladden Spit for the snapper spawning aggregations around the full moon in March, April, May, and June.
However, their visits have become less frequent. One likely explanation is reduced food from fewer snapper, presumably due to overfishing. Additionally, several other factors seem to be at play.
Meanwhile, whale sharks still show up regularly off the Yucatan Peninsula. A large upwelling there brings food to the surface. Moreover, these sharks travel tremendous distances in search of food.
Why Whale Sharks in Belize Are Endangered
The fact that these protected species are a target in some places is particularly disheartening and absolutely infuriating!
PetPedia says that “One Chinese fish factory processes around 500–600 big sharks each year, including whale sharks. The number of processed sharks gets more serious when we consider that whale shark numbers are already measured in thousands and that there might be more such factories.”
The World Wildlife Fund claims that Whale sharks are highly valued on international markets for their meat, fins, and oil. They are threatened by both unregulated fisheries and are also victims of bycatch. This photo from the Philippines is a graphic illustration.
MARALLIANCE has recently undertaken to provide some answers to what is happening at Gladden Spit.
If you would like to read more about whale sharks, check out these links:
