Whale Sharks Are Big Fish

By Steve Challis

Whale Shark Fact Sheet

The Whale Shark, Rhincodontypus, is a large fish. There have certainly been accurate records of this fish 12 m (37 feet) long.
The Whale Shark is a plankton feeder and filters large quantities of seawater, removing plankton of above about 2 cm and swallowing it.
One of the most reliable places to find Whale Sharks is off the coast of Western Australia.
Whale Sharks have been kept in large aquariums for public display and study, but this is not a fish I recommend for home aquariums.


Why Whale Sharks Need Our Help

By Lou Kawakami

Divers and snorkelers relish meeting this elusive fish.
The Whale Shark is the biggest fish in the world and can grow as large as 15 metres/45 feet in length.

Dangers facing Whale Sharks
Whale Shark fins are highly prized for shark fin soup in Asia.

Protection?

Whale Sharks have some protection under international laws and treaties.
Because little is known about their migration and breeding patterns, monitoring Whale Sharks for protection can be difficult.
The biggest culprits are Chinese restaurants - with shark fin soups - but shark fin can sometimes be found in sushi/Japanese establishments.
Advise your friends and family to avoid shark-serving restaurants.
Support conservation organisations. Support shark-friendly tourism and tell everyone how wonderful it is to see a Whale Shark.



Giant Whale Shark Reeled In By Pakistani Fisherman

click the link below:

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2012/02/giant-whale-shark-reeled-in-by-pakistani-fisherman/