The East African Whale Shark Trust

In Kiswahili, the whale shark is called “papa shillingi” translating as “shark covered in shillings.” There is a local legend that God was so pleased when he created this beautiful fish that he gave his angels handfuls of gold and silver coins to throw down from heaven onto its back. So it goes that whale sharks have their magical markings and swim near the surface catching the sun on their backs as a way of saying thank you to their Maker.

What is a whale shark?

The whale shark is the largest fish in the world, measuring up to 18 metres and weigh up to 20 tons. It feeds on platonic creatures and small fish, and has only tiny teeth. Like all sharks, it is cartilaginous rather than bony. It is easily identified by its huge size, many spots, and flattish front end. It can be found in tropical waters worldwide, and is sought after by divers visiting Ningaloo Reef in Australia, the Burma Banks near Thailand, on the south coast of the Kenyan reef and remote islands in the eastern Pacific such as Isla del Coco (Costa Rica) and the Galapagos archipelago (Ecuador). It is generally considered not to be a threat to swimmers and divers. In some parts of the world it is well protected, while in some areas of Malaysia and Indonesia it is hunted (harpooned) for its fins and meat. Whale sharks give birth to live young - recently a pregnant female was harpooned bearing 300 embryos of which 15 were alive.

Based on Diani beach, the EAWST was founded in 2005 in response to the increase in the whale shark population along the Kenyan coast as well as increased interest from the tourist sector. Peak season for whale shark sighting is between November and March. In the recent years there has been a significant increase in whale shark sightings along the Kenyan coast. There is a clear pattern of daily whale shark sightings emerging all year round with peak season being between the months of November to April. Whereas 10 years ago 20 whale sharks would be sighted in a year, it is now not uncommon to see 20 a day during the “whale shark” season. It is unknown at present whether the increase in whale sharks is due to the congested shipping lanes between South Africa, Madagascar and the Seychelles or due to the increase of mantis shrimp. It is clear however that there are many more whale sharks along the south coast of Kenya, in particular off Chale island and further that they are under threat from the local fishermen.

The increase in the number of whale sharks along the south coast of Kenya has meant that they have become a target. All that is required by international law is that whale shark trade be monitored. The EAWST provide a research centre for collecting and analyzing data on the local whale shark population, its habits and movements. The Trust works hand in hand with other regional organizations, the ultimate aim being to increase protection afforded to the biggest fish in the ocean and promote the conservation of the biggest fish in the ocean.

Achievements

• The trust was well-represented at the International Whale Shark Conference in Perth, Australia in May 2005. Contacts were made and Kenya was firmly placed on the global whale shark map.

• Our website is up and is regularly updated with our activities and news.

• Researchers from the Hubbs Seaworld Research Institute in San Diego, California, US visited the EAWST headquarters in Aqualand Watersports Centre on Galu Kinondo beach to initiate a satellite tagging programme in November 2005.

• Film teams from Germany and Sweden visited the EAWST to film documentaries in November and December 2005. Follow up visits were completed in February 2006.

• A children’s book on the whale shark is in draft awaiting illustration.

• Our founder took the King of Sweden on a whale shark safari in December 2005 and the Royal family swam with a 9 metre whale shark for over an hour. Needless to say they were overwhelmed by the experience and they have pledged their support to the trust.

• A fundraising movie night held at the Nyali cinemax in March 2006 was a huge success with the local schools and the local press.

• A gala dinner was held on the ferry on 29 April 2006

• Our souvenirs are available in various outlets.