Pronatura studies whale sharks

From a project description on the Web site of Pronatura:

The objective of this Project is to generate technical and scientific information that contributes to the sustainable development of the whale shark (as a touristic attraction) in the marine area of Yum Balam, Contoy.

The Flora and Fauna Protection Area of Yum Balam is located in the northeast of the Yucatan Peninsula, close to Contoy Island. These two areas are very important to the whale shark.

This species is legally protected nationally and internationally. The project works in an area that seems to have the most sightings of whale sharks in the world. In the year 2004, 173 individuals were spotted within the area of Holbox, while 162 were seen in Ningaloo, Australia, and only 47 in Belize.

The whale shark is now threatened because of the little knowledge there is about its habits, ecology and biology. This knowledge and the strategy adopted for its management can only be successfully achieved if they are contemplated on a world-wide scale, because while overexploitation for sale and illegal consumption of the whale shark’s fins happens mostly in Asia and South Africa, this affects the global population of the species. . . .