What Caused the Death of the Whale Shark? Research Points to International Trade Carried by Sea as the Culprit

A new study recently revealed some threats may have greatly caused the death of the largest fish in the world-- the whale shark, than anyone formerly realized.

As indicated in a ScienceAlert report, more than 80 percent of international trade is carried by sea. Much of what is used and consumed daily either has been or will be transported on large vessels ploughing the global ocean.

The courses these vessels are taking are fixed shipping routes called the marine highways, which are not different from motorways on opposite sides of expansive oceans.

Essentially, marine highways can cut across the movement as well, and migratory routes of marine animals. More so, giant plankton-feeding whales and sharks are specifically susceptible to being struck and killed by huge vessels as they are spending long periods close to the surface.

Caused by Intentional or Accidental Catches

The new research published in the PNAS journal showed that whale sharks can reach up to 20 meters long. Despite their strong appearance, these gigantic creatures' numbers have dropped by more than 50 percent in the last 75 years.

In 2016, they were added to the growing list of endangered shark species. Different from most other species roaming the open ocean, either accidental or intentional catches by industrial fishing fleets are not thought to be a top reason for the decline in the whale shark population.

This is due to the fact that major whale shark fisheries have been closed down, and the species ha been shielded by international trade bans since 2003. Rather, several factors point to shipping being a top, yet the hidden reason for death.

Notably, whale sharks are spending a lot of their time cruising just beneath the surface of oceans, frequently feeding on microscopic animals known as zooplankton, which can put them in a ship's direct path.

Deadly Collision, a Significant Threat to Whale Sharks

If a gigantic one collides with a whale shark, the latter probably stands a small chance to survive. There is frequently no trace of these events since, if a deadly collision takes place, the body sinks, as whale sharks evolved from tinier, bottom-dwelling sharks, and have kept their negative buoyancy, The Conversation, where this report first came out, specified.

This is making detecting and recording collisions difficult. Before now, the lone evidence available was a light set of eyewitness accounts, news reports, as well as encounters with sharks that harbor injuries from collisions with smaller vessels.

The significant threat to whale sharks revealed by this new study is making a strong case for urgent protection measures.

Endangered Species

Currently, there are no international regulations that protect whale sharks from ship collisions. In light of this study, the species is facing an uncertain future if action is not taken right away.

As an initial step to address such a crisis, the International Maritime Organization could develop a worldwide reporting technique that consolidates data of ship-wildlife collisions for whale sharks, as well as other endangered species.

Such a network would contribute to the implementation of protection measures of regional authorities by providing evidence of where collisions are taking place.

Efforts to reduce the risk of ship strikes could mimic measures to shield whales from collisions like IMO regulations that necessitate ships to slow down or navigate more carefully.

Related information about whale sharks is shown on Bright Side's YouTube video below:

Check out more news and information on Sharks in Science Times.