Why Are Whale Sharks Endangered?
If you’ve ever wondered why whale sharks are endangered, you’ve come to the right place. There are many reasons, including climate change, human activity, hunting, and tourism. But, one of the most significant is whale shark tourism. Tourism has contributed significantly to whale shark decline, but it’s not the only cause.
Climate change
Whale sharks are one of the most endangered creatures in the world. Their population has decreased 63% in the last 75 years and is at a high risk of extinction. The main causes of their decline are oil and gas spills, pollution and climate change. These factors have greatly impacted the habitats of whale sharks, which are sensitive to temperature changes. These factors have also led to the overfishing of whale sharks for their meat and fins.
Ocean warming has caused the level of oxygen in the ocean to decrease. This reduces the quality of the environment for whale sharks, which are known for their deep dives. Additionally, ocean warming affects their behavioral patterns. The warmer waters are forcing some species to stay nearer the surface, and whale sharks are among these species. These changes are negatively affecting their migration patterns.
Humans
Despite being among the largest fish in the ocean, whale sharks are now threatened by overfishing in some parts of their range. Scientists are calling for new limits on human contact with these giant creatures. The current number of whale sharks has declined by 50 percent since 1970. Their numbers have been listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature-IUCN.
To survive, whale sharks must travel great distances in order to feed on plankton rich enough for their massive size. These plankton sources are dispersed throughout the ocean, so whale sharks may be susceptible to human interference. These animals can be protected by enacting laws to restrict commercial boating and tourism.
Hunting
Whale sharks are among the largest fish in the ocean, but their numbers are decreasing due to hunting. They are slow swimmers and are most often found near the surface of the water. They feed on microscopic zooplankton, which are responsible for algae blooms. But whale sharks are also being targeted by fishermen for their fins and meat.
The male whale shark reaches sexual maturity at around 30 years of age. Female whale sharks reach sexual maturity at about 40 feet in length. The average lifespan of a mature male whale shark is 25 to 30 years. The reproductive rate of these species is extremely slow and only ten percent of the pups survive to reach adulthood. Overfishing is also a major threat to whale sharks.
Tourism
While the tourism industry has been an important factor in the decline of whale shark populations, some believe that this industry is responsible for the problem. The tourism industry is unregulated and there are few regulations and training programs to protect the whale sharks. In addition, some whale shark tours may do more harm than good to the species. To help protect these animals, the tourism industry must be more sustainable.
Whale sharks have been negatively affected by tourism because it can cause disturbances to their behaviours. They may approach the hunting boats and become used to human attention. They may even approach the boat in search of food.
Habitat loss
A large portion of whale shark deaths are caused by human activity, including fishing and boat collisions. However, the main threat to whale sharks is the increasing demand for shark products around the world. This includes meat, skin, fins, and liver oil. These products are commonly discarded and, in many cases, kill whale sharks. This is known as “Bycatch.”
Whale sharks’ habitats are often near or in popular tourist areas. This tourism is important to local communities and their economy, and is at risk if the species continues to be threatened. Global warming and pollution are two other major threats to the species. Whale sharks are also increasingly at risk from illegal fishing and boats.
