Welcome to East The African Whale Shark Trust |
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History of the EAWST The story goes that when God created the whale shark he was so pleased with his handiwork that he gave his angels handfuls of gold and silver coins to throw down from heaven into the sea. These coins landed on the whale shark’s back as it swam peacefully near the surface and that is why the whale shark is called “papa shillingi” which translates as “shark covered in shillings”. So it is that whale sharks swim near the surface as a way of saying thank you to their maker. Whale sharks have called Kenyan waters home for many years. Recently, there has been a significant increase which is perhaps related to the post El Nino mantis shrimp invasion. Based on Diani Beach the East African Whale Shark Trust was founded by Volker Bassen in response to the dramatic increase in sightings as well as increased interest from the tourist sector. The increase in whale sharks along the Kenyan coast has meant that they have become more of a target. Under international law, whale sharks are only given a secondary type of protection. They are listed under CITES Appendix II meaning that trade in whale sharks is allowed but must be monitored. Although relatively little is known about the biggest fish in the ocean, most specialists will agree that this level of protection is not enough. The overall aim of many whale shark projects is to raise awareness so that the level of protection afforded to whale shark is increased. The more we know about whale sharks the easier it will be to review the level of protection. The EAWST aims to provide a research centre for collecting and analyzing data on the local whale shark population, its habits and movements. The Trust will work closely with other regional organizations because whale sharks are migratory. Seen as an indicator of a healthy marine eco-system, whale sharks are filter feeders. They eat plankton, sieving it from the water through their gills. They are often seen swimming slowly along with their mouths agape, feeding as they move through the water. They can grow up to 18m and weigh up to 20 tons. They give birth to live young. They are solitary creatures for the most part and live in temperate waters around the equator, both along coastlines and in the open seas. Recent studies have revealed that they can dive to depths of over 1000m and that they spend most of their time at great depths, coming to the surface mostly at night to feed when the plankton rises with the diminishing ambient light. The EAWST has various projects underway. An eco-friendly whale shark safari is offered, giving visitors an opportunity to swim with these gentle giants. A range of education programmes have been set up, both for school children and for tourists. A fishermen initiative encompasses the wealth of local knowledge which the local communities have, providing employment and returning a percentage of the Trust’s income to the local stakeholders. Reporting whale shark sightings is one way of encouraging good working relationships between the Trust and the local stakeholders. The message that the Trust wants to highlight is something that is clear from whale shark destinations all across the world namely that whale sharks are far more valuable alive. Representatives from the Trust attended the International Whale Shark Conference in Perth, Australia in May 2005. In November 2005, 2 research scientists from HUBBS Seaworld Research Institute in San Diego, US visited the Trust in Diani to satellite tag some whale sharks. The researcher team was very excited by the number of whale sharks seen. There are now plans for a yearly research expedition. The Trust is fortunate in having very good links with Southern Cross Scuba and Aqualand Watersports Center, next to Pinewood Hotel. Further away in Gothenburg, Sweden the Universeum science discovery centre has dedicated a wall to the Trust so that its millions of visitors learn more about the whale shark, www.universeum.se. As a result the Trust has benefited from very kind logistical and financial support. |
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Everybody remembers the first time they dived with a whale shark as it is unforgettable. To get close to such a large and beautiful creature is an awesome, immensely humbling experience. There is something magical about watching them move, the curve of their tail, the glint of their spots and the tiny yellow and blue fish that collect in the jet stream in front of their mouths. With a graceful sweep of their bodies they can disappear into the deep, taking with them their secrets. |
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The
East African Whale Shark Trust P.O.
Box 933-80400 Ukunda Kenya |
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