Whale Sharks

Long-term research on the whale sharks of southern Mozambique's Inhambane coast, identifying individuals, tracking their movements, measuring their decline, and translating that evidence into protection.

Studying the large adult female whale sharks that pass Darwin Island in the northern Galápagos, in collaboration with the Galapagos Whale Shark Project, which leads the research.

Research, education, and conservation for the young whale sharks that aggregate off Nosy Be, in northwestern Madagascar, led by the Madagascar Whale Shark Project with MMF as a partner; 546 sharks had been identified by the end of the 2025 season, and the whale shark tourism code of conduct is now part of Malagasy law.

Long-term research on the small, highly resident population of whale sharks at Mafia Island, Tanzania: their movements, feeding, population trends, and the fishing and tourism pressures they face.

Mapping the Gulf of Oman's whale shark aggregation, documenting the vessel strikes and fishing gear that injure many of its sharks, and building the Omani partnerships that can protect them.

Research on the whale sharks that aggregate every summer in Qatar's Al Shaheen oil field to feed on tuna eggs, documenting their identity, residency, and movements across the Arabian Gulf and beyond.

Discovery and study of the first known whale shark aggregation in the Coral Sea, at Wreck Bay on Australia's far northern Great Barrier Reef, with the Biopixel Oceans Foundation, which leads the project, and James Cook University.

A completed study of the whale sharks that visit Utila in Honduras's Bay Islands, documenting their identity, residency, and connectivity with Belize, Mexico, and the United States.

A completed satellite-tracking study of juvenile whale sharks in the Sulu and Bohol Seas, Philippines, with LAMAVE, alongside related research on microplastic ingestion and residency at Oslob.