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Although whale shark
sightings were slow in the 2004 season many members of the
sighting network have asked for more feedback as to the
location of the sharks. This would allow them to access
the sharks for
diving or snorkeling activities permissible under
the stakeholder generated encounter policy.
During the 2005 season
MCSS will be flying two daily aerial surveys around
Mahe (subject to weather conditions and funding!) in
search of whale sharks. Flights are scheduled to start at
the beginning of August and continue through to the end of
October. The information gathered on whale shark sightings
will be distributed to those in the Network who would like
to receive it. In order to make this as simple as possible
a map of Mahe with referenced grid has been produced and
will be emailed to those who wish to receive the
information. At the end of each day, e-mails will be sent
out with the grid references of the sightings recorded
both by the micro-light and also phoned in by the network
partners. This e-mail will also contain location
information of any sharks seen in other areas from network
partners on Praslin and La Digue, as well as Helicopter
Seychelles or other aerial services.
Network partners that would like to offer whale
shark encounters and are prepared to contribute to the
costs of the programme can now also get additional support from MCSS. If it
appears that the sharks are in your vicinity, MCSS can
assist further by the provision of aerial support
directing encounter trips with MCSS researchers aboard
the partners boats. This will allow individual
operators to
offer whale shark encounters and at the same time
support the running costs of this programme.
This
does need to be booked in advance so please contact Elke
Talma for full particulars by clicking
.
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