The IUCN/SSC Shark Specialist Group
Shark News 3: March 1995
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Regional whale shark news
Whale sharks protected in Maldives
Fishing for whale sharks was banned in
Maldivian waters from the end of 1993.
This was in recognition of their rare status
in the Maldives, the low monetary value
of the seasonal fishery (which took
between 20 and 30 fish a year, worth less
than US $1,500), and the possible
benefits of the species to the tuna fishery
(fishermen report an association between
whale shark and tuna schools) and the
tourism industry. The protection of the
species in the Maldives is to be
welcomed, since fishermen have reported
a decline in catches there over the past
ten years.
Charles Anderson
Whale shark aggregations on the Kenya coast
An IUCN/Kenya Wildlife Service air survey took place in November
1994, primarily to determine the occurrence and distribution of
dugongs, turtles and cetaceans on the Kenya coast. Between 60 and
80 whale sharks were also sighted, clustered along the coast rather
than evenly distributed, with some right over coral reefs and others a
considerable distance offshore (the data are being entered into
ArcInfo and are not yet ready for analysis). There were also interesting
observations of large hammerheads and aggressive encounters
between Zambesi River/bull sharks Carcharhinus leucas and spotted
dolphins Stenella attenuata.
Maps showing the numbers and distribution of the whale shark
sightings relative to the position of coral reefs and bathymetry, and a
survey report will be available from the Kenya Wildlife Service by the
end of February. The IUCN Eastern Africa Regional Office and Shark
Specialist Group experts are evaluating the importance of these
records and will be making recommendations forfurther research
and conservation action.
Rod Salm
Marine & Coastal Conservation Programme Coordinator
IUCN Eastern Africa Regional Office
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