Whale Shark Spotted In Local Waters

October 24, 2007

Release from: Nick Walter
Bradenton Herald (Florida)

Bradenton resident Garth Case reported that he and friend Jim Needham spotted a whale shark, an estimated 14 to 15 feet in length, a mile west of Anna Maria Island on Sunday.

As they fished for amberjack in 20 feet of clear water, along came the whale shark, weaving slowly back and forth.

"It was going real slow, cruising through the water right at the surface," Case said. "Its tail and fin were sticking out of the water. Its head was as big as a lawn mower."

Whale sharks are easily recognized by their unusually large head size. The whale shark is found throughout all tropical seas, usually far offshore. It is only occasionally seen off Florida and the Keys.

"I knew exactly what it was just from seeing it on the National Geographic Channel," Case said. "Everybody just told me, 'You're so lucky, man.'"