[FONT="]Gentle whale sharks are thriving in Western Australia's Ningaloo reef area thanks to a successful eco-tourism program according to scientists who have been studying the "fingerprints" of the sea's largest fish.[/FONT]
In a study published today in the journal Ecological Applications, Australian marine scientist Brad Norman teamed up with an astronomer and computer programmer to develop pattern-recognition software to identify the unique white lines and spots on the flanks of the white shark.
Starting in 1995, the software was used to help the authors keep track of individual whale sharks - a non-predatory fish that eats tiny zooplankton - and helped them determine that more whale sharks were returning to the northern area of Ningaloo Marine Park from season to season.
The findings suggested that the whale-shark population was growing and that about two-thirds of the sharks were repeat visitors.
The sharks range up to 20 metres in length, weigh up to 20 tonnes, and have broad, flattened heads. They are listed as a rare species, and inhabit tropical and warm seas, including the western Atlantic and southern Pacific, according to the study.
Whale sharks are a big draw to the Ningaloo marine park, where tourists pay to swim close to the sharks.
Whale sharks thrive in eco-tourism park - Western Australia - Australia - Travel
It’s great to read that this specie is growing in numbers. I’ve only seen them on TV but they look so relaxed, even when humans are swimming close by.
In a study published today in the journal Ecological Applications, Australian marine scientist Brad Norman teamed up with an astronomer and computer programmer to develop pattern-recognition software to identify the unique white lines and spots on the flanks of the white shark.
Starting in 1995, the software was used to help the authors keep track of individual whale sharks - a non-predatory fish that eats tiny zooplankton - and helped them determine that more whale sharks were returning to the northern area of Ningaloo Marine Park from season to season.
The findings suggested that the whale-shark population was growing and that about two-thirds of the sharks were repeat visitors.
The sharks range up to 20 metres in length, weigh up to 20 tonnes, and have broad, flattened heads. They are listed as a rare species, and inhabit tropical and warm seas, including the western Atlantic and southern Pacific, according to the study.
Whale sharks are a big draw to the Ningaloo marine park, where tourists pay to swim close to the sharks.
Whale sharks thrive in eco-tourism park - Western Australia - Australia - Travel
It’s great to read that this specie is growing in numbers. I’ve only seen them on TV but they look so relaxed, even when humans are swimming close by.
