A whale shark in Cenderawasih Bay, West Papua, Indonesia
© Andy Lerner/Tandem Stills + Motio
Whale shark
Whale sharks have been around for more than 240 million years, but the first specimen was discovered off the coast of South Africa in the 1820s. As the world's largest fish, these gentle giants can grow up to 12 metres, with one reaching a record 18.8 metres. Found in tropical oceans around the world, these filter feeders glide through the water, mouth wide open, straining plankton and small fish. Each pattern on their dotted, starry skin is as unique as a human fingerprint. Sadly, the International Union for Conservation of Nature lists whale sharks as endangered due to overfishing, habitat loss and climate change. Amid adversity, there's hope, like in Cenderawasih Bay in Indonesia, a whale shark oasis that's pictured here. Here, these titans dine on the generosity of fishermen who feed them baitfish for luck, reflecting a unique bond between man and marine life.
Related Images
Oyster farm offshore from Notojima Island, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan
Divers at El Pit Cenote, located in Dos Ojos Natural Park, Quintana Roo, Mexico
Dr. Sylvia Earle explores the Great Barrier Reef in a scene from 'Mission Blue'
Blue Linckia sea stars, New Ireland, Papua New Guinea
Emperor penguins in the Ross Sea, Antarctica
Red sea stars, Mediterranean Sea
Giant manta ray and a photographer off the Ningaloo Coast, Australia
Biorocks growing coral off the Gili Islands, Indonesia
Bing Today Images
