Satellite tracking of juvenile whale sharks in the Sulu and Bohol Seas, Philippines

Juvenile whale sharks in the Sulu and Bohol Seas, Philippines, exhibit high mobility, traveling up to 2,580 km within 126 days while remaining entirely within national waters. This study, using satellite tracking of 17 tagged individuals from Panaon Island, Mindanao, and Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park (TRNP), reveals their connectivity across the region, emphasizing the importance of these areas for the endangered species. Sharks tagged near TRNP predominantly stayed offshore in the Sulu Sea, while others moved through the Bohol Sea or Surigao Strait, demonstrating dynamic movement patterns. Notably, deep dives (>200 m) were primarily nocturnal, contrasting with observations elsewhere. These findings underscore the need for comprehensive conservation strategies to protect whale sharks, given their extensive range and vulnerability.

Araujo, G., Rohner, C. A., Labaja, J., Conales, S. J., Snow, S. J., Murray, R., Pierce, S. J., & Ponzo, A. (2018). Satellite tracking of juvenile whale sharks in the Sulu and Bohol Seas, Philippines. PeerJ, 6, e5231. Portico. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.5231