the iconic whale sharks that congregate at ningaloo reef off western australia are declining in number, according to a recent study published in the journal of animal ecology. researchers from the australian institute of marine science and charles darwin university have used 12 years of whale shark photographs from ningaloo reef to monitor and predict trends in population size. the scientists’ models show a steady decline in numbers of the giant fish. the study follows increased efforts over the last decade to learn more about the ningaloo whale shark aggregation due to fears that over-harvesting outside of australian jurisdiction could pose a threat to the gentle giants. ‘australia’s whale shark population is shared with many other countries in southeast asia and around the indian ocean,’ says fish biologist dr mark meekan. ‘although many countries including india and taiwan have recently halted or reduced their commercial take of whale sharks, continued harvesting throughout southeast asia is probably still occurring.’
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whale shark products are sold in many southeast asian countries. it is reputed to be the world's most expensive shark meat. there are various products used from whale sharks including:
- cartilage, blood, gall bladder, corneas and liver are used in a variety of medical treatments
- the meat is eaten and sold as flake or shark meat in fish shops
- the fins are considered a delicacy in asian cooking (shark fin soup)
- the skin can be turned into leather
- the liver oil is used in cosmetics
a large whale shark slaughtered in china
whale shark ralph before he died
