Experts Step Up Whale Shark Protection

May 9, 2005

Release from: ABC News Online

The world's experts on whale sharks will today gather in Perth to push for its protection in international waters.

Despite its endangered status in Australia, the whale shark is still being slaughtered in Asian waters.

It is the largest gathering of whale shark experts in the world.

Today, scientists from 23 countries will lobby for a global protection plan to save the ocean's biggest fish.

Growing up to 20 metres long, the plankton eating whale shark is protected in Australia, but it is still killed in Asia - its meat considered a lucrative trade.

Scientists say the conference will highlight alternative ways to protect the species, including using the whale shark as a tourist attraction.

Dr John Keesing is with the CSIRO and the Western Australian Government and he hopes the meeting will help set up a global protection plan.

"We're concerned that harvesting whale sharks is unsustainable and that there are better social and economic outcomes for the communities where whale sharks visit by taking tourists to see them, rather than killing them," he said.

"There's certainly evidence that catches are declining where they are caught and sightings of whale sharks are declining."