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 injuries its sharks suffer from vessel strikes and fishing gear, 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.

Research on the whale sharks that gather each summer off Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, led by Rafael de la Parra of Ch'ooj Ajauil AC, with MMF scientists contributing fieldwork, photo-identification, and analysis since 2013.

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 whale sharks in Mexico's Gulf of California, led by Dr. Dení Ramírez-Macías of Whale Shark Mexico with MMF as a contributor, which tracked juveniles within the Gulf of California and adults into the open Pacific.

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.