Whaleshark Trip with Exmouth Dive Centre
Amazing day out doing some of our research projects with Exmouth Dive Centre. Swam with 5 whalesharks! Big thanks to the crew at EDC for having us on board :) This is one of the 4m whalesharks we swam with on the day.
Swimming with whale sharks at Ningaloo 15th July 2013
A clip from Oceanwise Expeditions' epic tour from the 15th of July, 2013.
Roped Whaleshark Ningaloo Reef
This whale shark showed up at Ningaloo with tail injuries consistent with having been entangled in rope. It is possible that these injuries were sustained when escaping from fishers who hunt them in countries outside of Australia. Fishers will catch whale sharks by looping a rope attached to large floats around their tail. The shark will attempt to dive repeatedly until it is exhausted and will then be towed back to shore for butchering.
Whale shark stationary suction feeding at Ningaloo Reef
During stationary suction feeding whale sharks either remain relatively horizontal or assume a nearly vertical position, stop or almost cease swimming, and actively suction in plankton and small fishes with repeated opening and closing of the mouth.
8.5 metre whale shark at Ningaloo Reef
Accurately measuring large sharks, both in and out of the water, has proven difficult and complicates the question of how large whale sharks may actually grow. In water measurements using comparison to an object of known size, or by using a tape measure or knotted rope alongside a whale shark, have been found to have errors of at least 50 cm.
Our researchers are employing stereo-videography, a new technology based on digital video from two cameras, to measure whale sharks in water with much greater accuracy and precision. Stereo-video produces a three-dimensional image of the subject from two angled cameras that can be accurately measured using specialised software.
Using this and other footage we determined that this mature male whale shark had a FL of 8.5, making it one of the larger individuals we encountered in 2012.
Two immature whale sharks within 10 metres at Ningaloo Reef
Very little is known regarding the social behaviour of whale sharks. They are most often encountered as single individuals and not regarded as social animals. The known aggregations appear to be the result of individuals' foraging activities drawing them coincidentally to the same location rather than any social or behavioural need. As a result the whale shark is presently regarded as being facultativelysocial in that they do not necessarily have to form these aggregations. We hope that over time our observations will help elucidate the social behaviours of the whale sharks at Ningaloo.
Two immature whale sharks within 20 metres at Ningaloo Reef
Very little is known regarding the social behaviour of whale sharks. They are most often encountered as single individuals and not regarded as social animals. The know aggregations appear to be the result of individuals' foraging activities drawing them coincidentally to the same location rather than any social or behavioural need. So the whale shark is presently regarded as being facultatively social in that they do not necessarily have to form these aggregations.
We hope that over time our observations can help elucidate the social behaviours of the whale sharks at Ningaloo.
Immature whale shark attempting to locate food at Ningaloo Reef
This was the first ever identified encounter of this 4 metre juvenile male whale shark. During it he appeared to be attempting to locate food as can be seen by his posturing and rubbing against the boat. Whale sharks have been known to feed on a variety of planktonic organisms (including euphasids, copepods, chaetognaths, crab larvae, molluscs, siphonophores, salps, sergestids, isopods, amphipods, stomatopods, coral spawn and fish eggs) as well as small squid and fish. However, unfortunately for this young whale shark there was very little plankton in the water at the time.
Exmouth Gulf
A short video highlighting just some of the biodiversity values of Exmouth Gulf and current and potential threats it faces.
Download the full Exmouth Gulf, North Western Australia report visit:
oceanwise.com.au
Ningaloo whale sharks (1) 7th of May 2013
Out swimming with whale sharks at Ningaloo with Oceanwise Expeditions , 7th of May 2013. Impressed with the cooperation of the tour boat operators working in the area and the professionalism of all involved.
Location can be found by following URL:
Whale shark passive feeding then coughing at Ningaloo Reef
During sub-surface passive feeding the whale shark swims slowly below the surface with its mouth wide open filtering plankton from the water column. In this video it is particularly interesting to note how the whale shark closes its mouth and appears to swallow then subsequently cough. This behaviour has previously been reported during passive feeding and is hypothesised to be a mechanism used to reduce clogging of the filtering pads by larger particles. Our observations support this theory as the re-positioning and feeding of the slender suckerfish behind the gills suggests that some material has been expelled.
oceanwise expeditions
Filmed entirely on the Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Area, this is a short look at the work being done by the scientists at Oceanwise, who run ecotours allowing people to swim with whale sharks and other rare, endangered and unique marine fauna and megafauna. Participation on the tours helps afford marine research conducted as part of each trip and raises public awareness, both important for conservation outcomes for this incredible ecosystem. You can check them out here oceanwise.com.au/
Filmed by Ben Delfs and Oceanwise crew using Gopro Hero 3 and 550d cameras over 1 season.
Produced by Ben Delfs
Music
Follow the light by Adigold at audiojungle.net
Kaleidoscope by Simon Wilkinson at the bluemask.com
Chasing a dream by Ruben Lozano at audiojungle.net
Additional interview audio from ABC radio's The Science Show
Two minutes snorkeling inside the lagoon at Ningaloo Reef
During two minutes snorkeling inside the lagoon at Ningaloo Reef we came across a large bull ray, two adult green turtles and a beautiful Queensland groper.
This is pretty standard!
Ningaloo whale sharks (3) 7th of May 2013
Out swimming with whale sharks at Ningaloo with Oceanwise Expeditions , 7th of May 2013. Impressed with the cooperation of the tour boat operators working in the area and the professionalism of all involved.
Location can be found by following URL:
6.5 m Female Whaleshark at Ningaloo
Jen, Jess and Jackie had a great day out doing research with Kings. We came across this 6.5m female whaleshark and swam with 5 other sharks. It is unusual to see a female whaleshark at Ningaloo as the population is mainly made up of juvenile males
Ningaloo whale sharks (4) 7th of May 2013
Out swimming with whale sharks at Ningaloo with Oceanwise Expeditions , 7th of May 2013. Impressed with the cooperation of the tour boat operators working in the area and the professionalism of all involved.
Location can be found by following URL:
Humpback whales at Ningaloo
Going to sea on days when the weather is closing in pays dividends when the humpback whales are going off.