Whale shark Rhincodon typus strandings

Written By Karina Busto
50_Whitehead_Et_Al_Whale_Shark_Strandings_Gulf_California_2018.jpg

Whale shark Rhincodon typus strandings in the Gulf of California, Mexico

Darren A. Whitehead, Edgar E. Becerril-García, David Petatán-Ramírez, Abraham Vázquez-Haikin, Rogelio González-Armas and Felipe Galván-Magaña

Journal of Fish Biology

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1111/jfb.13845

Abstract

The present study analyses whale shark Rhincodon typus stranding in the Gulf of California, Mexico, reported by the public, scientists, authorities and artisanal fishermen. A total of 14 strandings were documented during the period 2001–2018. The total length of R. typus ranged from 350–1,102 cm, with a sex ratio of 3.5:1 (males: females). This study highlights potential stranding areas, the need for better stranding protocols to assist R. typus recovery and the importance of samples from dead animals for scientific research.

Keywords: Conservation, eastern tropical Pacific, endangered species, Gulf of California, Rhincodon typus

Karina Busto
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