Whale shark and golden trevally, Cenderawasih Bay, West Papua, Indonesia

Whale shark and golden trevally, West Papua, Indonesia

Imagine coming face to face with a fish the size of a bus. The whale shark is the world's largest fish, yet it is a remarkably gentle giant. Despite its name, it is not a whale but a shark, with the biggest confirmed individuals measuring around 18 metres long and weighing more than 20 tonnes. Found in warm tropical and subtropical seas, whale sharks move slowly through the water with their mouths open, filtering plankton, fish eggs and other tiny prey. Their distinctive white spots and stripes form patterns unique to each individual, allowing researchers to identify and track them over time.

This image captures one of these giants in Cenderawasih Bay, West Papua, Indonesia, accompanied by a school of golden trevally. These fish often swim alongside whale sharks, taking advantage of food stirred up by the shark's movement and the shelter provided by its enormous body.

Although generally harmless to humans, whale sharks are endangered and face threats from fishing gear, vessel strikes, habitat loss and climate change.