Whale Shark

The Whale Shark
	The whale shark - rhincodon typus is the largest fish in the sea, averaging 9 meters in length. The smallest one we have seen in the waters of Utila was approximately 3 meters and is pictured on the left (photos by: Tim Birkett & Louis Howell, instructors at Deep Blue Divers). The largest we have seen was approximately 12 meters in length. The whale shark is believed to be
highly migratory and the deep waters of the north side of the island of Utila is on their migratory path. They cruise at only 2-3 knots filtering thousands of tons of water containing very small particles of food every hour. Its jaws are lined with 300 rows of tiny teeth, approximately 2mm in size. It is suggested that whale sharks do not reach maturity until they are over 30 years of age and a size of 9 meters. This gentle giant can live to be over 100 years old and it is an awesome privilege to be in the water with them.

The Whale Shark Research Project

Swim with the whale sharks of Utila

Deep Blue will be conducting one of the largest scientific research projects ever undertaken in the Caribbean to find out more about the whale sharks of Utila. Scientists, and marine biologists will be brought in from around the world to oversee this project. We will be digitally tagging the whale sharks to put together one of the most extensive video and photographic libraries for all to view. Over the next 5 years we will be obtaining new information to help in the conservation and recognition of the whale sharks of Utila. While the project is being undertaken we will be allowing our guests to assist by taking video footage, photographs and by logging individual whale sharks, see our research website at www.UtilaWhaleSharkResearch.com The project scientists and staff will brief our guests on what to look for and will then assist with the matching of previous sightings. For prices and dates see our Message Board

As of 2007 (our 3rd year of the research project) we have had more than 200 whale shark encounters and have identified 52 individual whale sharks visiting Utila. For the first time anywhere in the world 2 whale sharks were tracked across 3 different countries; Honduras, Belize and Mexico.

Close encounter with a whale shark

ECOCEAN Whale Shark Photo-identification

Swim with the whale sharks of Utila

ECOCEAN works to generate public awareness for marine conservation issues. ECOCEAN also encourages and facilitates quality research to provide important information (data) to assist with 'best practice' management for the future conservation of the marine ecosystem. Often, important research and the associated gathering of data can be achieved with the help of the public - via simple community monitoring projects. Founders of the group (Brad Norman & Rhiannon Bennett) have continued to undertake research and campaign for the conservation of the whale shark since 1994.

Their work has been influential in having the whale shark listed:

as vulnerable to extinction by the World Conservation Union (IUCN) – [2000];
as threatened under Australia’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act – [2001];
and included on Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) – needing close monitoring and international cooperation to ensure future survival of the species – [2002].

You too can assist with research on whale sharks - by submitting photos and sighting information to ECOCEAN. The information you submit can then be used to help with the global conservation of this threatened species.

To see Whale Shark Encounters in Utila click here

To see Identified Whale Sharks in Utila click here

To Report a Whale Shark Encounter click here

Close encounter with a whale sharks

Life's an adventure, don't miss out, DIVE in today!

For more information about our Whale Shark Project contact Steve & Jasmine
e-mail: info@deepblueutila.com or telephone Honduras mobile: (504) 9834 4399
Remember to dial 011 first from the U.S.

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