Whale sharks are enjoying quite the popularity these days, as sightings of the gentle giants become more common than usual to the casual visitor. In Queensland, Australia, two men were filmed “riding” a whale shark who happened upon their boat while fishing for tuna earlier this month. The small fishing town of Oslob, found in the Philippines, has enjoyed a recent tourism boom after fishermen began hand-feeding a population of whale sharks to the delight of SCUBA divers and tourists visiting the area. Although the filter-feeding creatures are most certainly docile and pose no threat to humans, physical interaction between the whale sharks and people is the source of recent controversy, because of the impacts it has on the animal in the short and long term. So the question is: are the concerns a bit dramatic, or do they have a valid point?
There can be no doubt that coming into such close contact with any marine species is a special experience, especially when they seemingly come to you — and not to eat you! So little is understood about many ocean creatures that an encounter with one is beyond anything you could read in a book. But it is that lack of understanding that can lead to unintentional harm of these creatures. Even if damage is not immediately apparent, there are consequences that have been observed as a result of benign gestures.
Many marine species are covered in a layer of mucus, which is important for several reasons. Primarily, it helps the animal protect itself from bacteria and parasites, who are often unable to permeate the mucus layer, or suffocate trying. Sometimes this mucus layer contains toxins, which act as another critical form of protection from predators. Mucus also assists with respiratory function, whether the species breathes through gills or not, and helps the creature swim efficiently by creating a more streamlined profile. And some species even feed their young by secreting a mucus that is comprised of nutritional proteins and fats. This mucus layer can be easily compromised through human touching and petting, and most certainly by “hitching a ride” on larger species.
The habitual feeding of whale sharks in the Philippines fishing town has come under fire for legitimate reasons. Firstly, the whale sharks have become accustomed to receiving food when the tourist boats come around. The problem is, a whale shark does not possess the cognitive ability to differentiate a tourist boat from a fishing boat, which could very well end the creature’s life if the fishermen see an opportunity.
There is also potential for injury to be inflicted by oars, propellers, or any other object striking the slow-moving animal. And not leastly, the hands of many people — who are unaware of the habits and life of the creatures, as well as the risks associated with physical contact — are grabbing and groping the whale sharks, not to mention those that are jumping in near or on top of them to get a closer look. Not all humans are well-intentioned when it comes to marine life, and creating a sense of trust purely for our own amusement is ethically questionable.
The bottom line is that there is a viable way to enjoy and learn about marine life without subjecting it to unnecessary trauma: look, but don’t touch. Safety should always be our first priority!
Photos via KAZ2.0, Christian Steen, Marcel_Ekkel
yes, if they feel the need to take a souvenir home, let it be a photot
I so agree! Marine life first, our enjoyment second!
sweet
Yes. I suggest that they do excercise restraint.
Yes. I suggest that they do excercise restraint.
Yes. I suggest that they do excercise restraint.
Yes. I suggest that they do excercise restraint.
most definitely. I watched a man who claimed to be an “experienced diver” shake a sea cucumber, hug a barrel sponge and chase after an eagle ray.. needless to say all of us under water wanted to turn his air off…
most definitely. I watched a man who claimed to be an “experienced diver” shake a sea cucumber, hug a barrel sponge and chase after an eagle ray.. needless to say all of us under water wanted to turn his air off…
most definitely. I watched a man who claimed to be an “experienced diver” shake a sea cucumber, hug a barrel sponge and chase after an eagle ray.. needless to say all of us under water wanted to turn his air off…
most definitely. I watched a man who claimed to be an “experienced diver” shake a sea cucumber, hug a barrel sponge and chase after an eagle ray.. needless to say all of us under water wanted to turn his air off…
Absolutely! You’re in their home. People don’t come to your home and pick you up when youre trying to sleep! Why do we think we could do that in their home?
Absolutely! You’re in their home. People don’t come to your home and pick you up when youre trying to sleep! Why do we think we could do that in their home?
Absolutely! You’re in their home. People don’t come to your home and pick you up when youre trying to sleep! Why do we think we could do that in their home?
Like some many things in life, just because you can do something, doesn’t mean you should do it…
When I started diving I touched a bristel worm and felt it for a week. Don’t touch anything.
R u kidding, do not touch, just enjoy so others who come after us can enjoy too…..
I don’t touch things underwater and I hope they give me the same respect.
I don’t touch things underwater and I hope they give me the same respect.
Yes Mitts off! Buttocks too.
Pretty sure that was one of the first rules I learned during my OW certification class…. was look but do not touch….course it is a little hard when they swim up to your face….but in the long end…it really is the best and safest rule to abide by ….and don’t forget the fins….for petes sake…keep that off the coral!!
Depends what kind, because damn some of them critters is mighty tastey.
Look but do not touch!
- I have been to art exhibits with people who simply could not keep their hands off of the pieces being exhibited. Much like anything else, we have this desire to touch things that we should not. If you are after a bug by all means, catch it. I just watch the fish, observe the surges and make room for and a distance from everything possible. now, if its edible and legal…
The good news. In this case, we are aware of a major shark conservationist already directly involved with this situation working with the villagers and the government to control this experience so it is safe and sustainable. It has been proven worldwide that often the best way to conserve a natural resource is to show the local population the economic and environmental benefits in preserving and protecting their resources. This is often the way to change from overfishing and shark finning to a conservationist economy. Manta and shark finning is a huge problem in the greater Pacific/worldwide. Support http://www.sharksavers.org/
I am an old school diver. Started in 1972, then it was considered ok to touch and or take. Now I most defently beleive in don’t touch or take. Would love to go back and change some of the thing I did. But the past is the past. Leave it alone and return to enjoy it again and again. Have never seen a Whale Shark, but it is one of those species I want to take a picture of and say I took that one!
More pressing than stressing the animal, the sharks that stay to be fed daily have abandoned natural migratory routes. Donsol’s Whale Shark season is over, Whale Sharks in Leyte and other areas around the Philippines are reported fewer and fewer, now is the time we would normally see whale sharks migrate. This is essential to their life history for a varied diet, and moving to breeding grounds (of which we know barely anything). The whale sharks that appear in Tan-awan daily and missing out on these critical processes.