IN THIS ISSUE

 International Meeting on Migratory Sharks In Seychelles

Seychelles is to host the first meeting of Government representatives and their scientific advisers to start to formulate an international treaty to conserve Migratory Sharks, under the banner of the United Nations Convention on Migratory Species (CMS).

Plans are well under way for the meeting to be held in Seychelles in the middle of the year. The proposed plan would cover any migratory shark listed on the CMS Appendixes which currently include  great whites, basking sharks and whale sharks.

NOTICE BOARD

Whale Shark Sightings 
 Jan - Mar 2006

In-water Sightings
8 reported sightings
4 in-water encounters
1 shark identified
1 shark sexed (F)

Please send us any comments or news for inclusion by clicking

  Whale Shark Appears in Victoria!

	Impressive whale shark from Praslin Secondary School. Photo D. Rowat

SUBIOS is the annual Seychelles Underwater Festival which aims to educate the people and especially the youth of Seychelles about the marine life in their surrounding waters as well as attract visitors to the islands to participate in the activities. This year at the 17th SUBIOS festival a carnival parade of floats was organised allowing schools from all over Seychelles to compete in creating an imaginative float depicting their views of Seychelles marine life, with a stunning Rs25000 ($5000) first prize donated from the President’s Children’s Fund.

Full article>>

	Embryo whale shark and egg case. Photo from McCormick, Allan & Young   (1963)

Whale sharks are the largest fish in the sea, reputedly growing  to a length of 19 metres (62 feet) and weighing some 34 tons. However, when they are pupped they are significantly smaller, being somewhere between 58 to 64cm (22 to 25 inches) total length. What is surprising is that very few Whale sharks below 4 metres in length have ever been recorded.

News from Zahirul Islam in Bangladesh indicates that a very small Whale shark of 110cm (43 inches) was recently found...

Full article>>

Whale shark being released off India. Photo WTI

On March 12th fisherman Parbatlala Fulbaria was surprised to find a whale shark entangled in his fishing net in one of his daily fishing trips about 50km south of the Sutrapada coast, Gujarat, India. His fishing boat looked diminutive in contrast to the whale shark which was estimated to be 45 feet long (13 metres). The fisherman communicated with the local forest office about the problem and without delay, the Regional Forest Officer was asked to conduct the rescue and release operation.

Full article>>

Rob and Sam Bester are members of our regional network of whale shark correspondents from Gypsea Dive Centre at Sodwana, Bay South Africa; they contacted us recently to let us know what’s been happening in their area:

“We have enjoyed fantastic in-water encounters this season.  Majority of the sharks passing Sodwana Bay have been noticeably more social. We had a 10m+ male that hung around for approximately 4 hours 150m off-shore of our launch area.  He was a superior 'player' and constantly initiated interaction..."

Full article>>

Please let us know! Please get as much information as possible, where when, how many, how big, what it was doing etc. then call us, e-mail us or fill out our on-line sighting form every sighting is important in building a picture of these sharks movements and behaviour around Seychelles

More details>>

By becoming a whale shark foster parent you are ensuring that research on whale sharks is continued. Your support will assist in protecting these amazing creatures and ensure that they continue roaming the world’s tropical oceans.

Adopt me !

Mazarin (s275): A 4½ m juvenile male whale shark tagged on the 25th January 2003 near L'ilôt Island. He has a distinct scaring pattern and is easily recognized.

More details>>