August 2013 Playa del Carmen, Mexico Helping out with Whale shark conservation!

Whale Sharks (Rhincodon typus) are the largest known fish in the World! Adults can typically be between 7 10 meters long but some can reach up to 14 meters. Although they are sharks, these creatures tend to strike a calming impression rather than one involving fear. These giants glide in the water and feed gently by sucking up any small sea life they find in front of them. They populate nearly all tropical and sub-tropical seas (except for the Mediterranean), but luckily for us, between the months of May and September, in the North of the Quintana Roo state we see the largest concentration of whale Sharks anywhere in the world. Whale sharks typically swim alone, but researchers estimate that there are more than 200 gathering around Isla Holbox at a time. This is due to plankton infestation to waters where the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean meet.

Picture 1: Open wide! Photo taken by GVI Pez Maya

Due to the passive nature of these great animals, there is no immediate danger for humans to swim alongside them and gaze upon them up close. This has created a successful attraction for tourism (starting from only few hundred tourists a year to more than 12,000 annually) and the first set of regulations applied in 2003. Back then, Isla Holbox was, by law, the only departure point for tours, after 10 years tours have stretched to Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Cozumel, Tulum etc, Isla Mujeres and Isla Contoy.

Picture 2: Ginormous!! Picture taken from GVI Pez Maya With any natural attraction, there needs to be a balance of tourism and preservation. Tour companies have been under strict rules; regulations and licensing to achieve the end goal of developing a sustainable eco-tourism market that provides opportunities for tourists and jobs for local businesses while protecting the habitat and well being of the Whale Sharks. These the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) have started a program to ensure they are followed, they are working along with locals and helped develop guidelines for operators participating in whale shark tourism. The Strategic Projects Coordinator of the WWF Mesoamerican Reef Program stated that with such a sharp increase in tourists coming to visit the whale sharks, it is very important that people are aware of the rules for visiting them.

Picture 3: GVI Team presentation day by the WWF Mexican representative

This is where GVI came in to help. As part of WWF's campaign, we helped them to spread the word to the tourists in Playa del Carmen as they didnt have enough hands to reach this city. After a visit and an inspiring talk by the Mexican representative of WWF (and for some of us with inspiration from having had the privilege of experiencing this ourselves), we were armed with bracelets, postcards, t-shirts and stickers to spread the awareness of certain conservation rules when visiting

these Whale Sharks. Our GVI volunteers ventured forth to 5 th Avenue, speaking to tourists on the beach while handing out bracelets. We gave bars and diveshops post cards and stickers to put on their window so they are able to inform visiting tourists. Also on the 3rd of September, GVI volunteers and staff gave a presentation to the Spanish school Solexico, which had students from all around the world (including Australia, USA, Portugal, Norway, Mexico, Brazil, Turkey and more). This was a particularly successful activity as the direct feedback from these students generated further interest amongst themselves.

Picture 4: Jim our GVI Playa del Carmen volunteer giving the presentation in the Spanish school

The end of the Whale Shark season approached us sooner than we had hoped, and not all the ideas volunteers had come up with were able to be utilized. However, one definite achievement generating passionate interest and knowledge to the GVI volunteers involved. The best way to raise awareness is through people; and we have started a strong, active and knowledgeable group of people from all around the world to help spread the word.

Bibiliography:

1. 2.

http://scuba.about.com/od/sharks/ss/Whale-Sharks_5.htm date: 13/09/13 http://www.islawhalesharks.com/default.asp date: 13/09/13

3.

http://worldwildlife.org/blogs/wwf-travel-blog/posts/know-before-you-go-responsible-whaleshark-tourism-in-mexico date: 13/09/13