Whale Shark Satalite Tagging
July 28, 2011 § Leave a comment
The Galapagos marine reserve is considered one of the most beautiful in the world and home to a large population of incredibly diverse marine life, among them the whale shark (Rhincodon typus), which “we know little or nothing,” said Fernando Ortiz, Galapagos Program Coordinator for the Galapagos Whale Shark Project and coordinator of Conservation Internationa . From 6 to July 18 they entered the waters off Darwin Island for satellite tagging of 14 whale sharks.
Discovery Process “When diving I had the opportunity to see three or four of these sharks, mostly females, but did not know many things: if they came to the Galapagos only to mate or were specific to the islands? “says Ortiz.
Now with the technology are receiving information on a satellite so far have determined that the vast majority sense are moving west-northwest and move quickly. They hope to continue receiving signals over the next five months.
The Galapagos Whale Shark Project has scheduled two new field trips this year: one in late August and again in late October. The initiative has the support of Conservation International, Galapagos National Park Foundation Charles Darwin, and George Blake Kimberly Rapier Charitable Lead Trust Unit, the Peter Klimbley shark expert at the University of California and the naturalist and photographer Jonathan Green.
“We made it to Darwin’s Arch and back… despite high temperatures the Whale Sharks were present in almost every dive. Each day new sightings, they were passing through on their way to somewhere, only time will tell. We tagged 14 sharks, 13 females and a juvenile male. The expedition succeeded beyond our greatest expectations!”
Although little is known about the whale shark, if there is certainty that a species threatened by human activities such as catch for food in Indonesia, India and Thailand, and when they fall into the nets. The data from June to November visiting the islands of Darwin and Wolf.
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