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Lucky
MCSS programme participant James Thompson witnessed
and photographically recorded a feeding frenzy of 13 whale
sharks in an area of less than 50metres square. James was
the observer on the morning aerial survey flight on
October 2nd when pilot Johan Anderson sighted the amazing
sight to the west of Capucin rocks, South Mahe.
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13
whale sharks in a tight synchronized swimming
routine feeding on the surface amongst a school of
fusilier fish.
Photo James Thompson |
James
was able to take digital stills and video clips of the
surface-feeding event in which several sharks can be seen
lined up behind each other swimming in a tight feeding
circuit, narrowly avoiding the others in the frenzied
group. The sharks were feeding amongst a large shoal of
fusilier fish which formed halos around the whale sharks,
avoiding being accidentally sucked down by the ram-feeding
sharks. James and Johan observed the group for five minutes
or so before completing the rest of the survey which
located a total of 23 sharks on this round Mahe flight,
the highest total record for this season so far.
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closer view of the main group showing that the
shark in the top left corner is already tagged
with a yellow MCSS Aquasign tag.
Photo James Thompson |
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James was part of a group of keen divers who had
booked a weeks vacation in Seychelles to participate in
the MCSS whale shark monitoring programme through
DiveQuest, one of a few UK Tour Operators specializing is
diving vacations for small groups involving local
conservation projects. James trip as observer in the
micro-light will certainly give him many unforgettable
memories of Seychelles!
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