Underwater photography - whale sharks |
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Whale Sharks are
increasingly threatened, primarily due to commercial fishing.
While not traditionally hunted, a thriving market has recently
sprung up for whale shark flesh in Asia. Marketed as the "Tofu
Shark", these gentle giants are now killed in many countries
for export to Taiwan and Korea. To learn how you can help,
contact the Shark Research Institute:
e-mail: SRILevine@aol.com website: www.sharks.org |
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The Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus), is a true shark that reaches whale-like proportions. Richelieu Rock, Andaman Sea, Thailand. |
Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus), surrounded by a large school of bigeye trevally (Caranx sexfasciatus). Hin Muang, Andaman Sea, Thailand. |
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| image reference code: ws 26 | image reference code: ws 21 | ||||
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Calm surface waters reflect the distinctive dorsal spots of a Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus). Richelieu Rock, Andaman Sea, Thailand. |
Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus), feeding by engulfing huge volumes of water, then straining plankton, jellyfish and small fish through its sieve-like gill rakers. Richelieu Rock, Andaman Sea, Thailand. |
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| image reference code: wsdiver 79 | image reference code: ws 48 | ||||
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A Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus), sporting a "beard" of hitchiking Remoras (Echeneis naucrates). Richelieu Rock, Andaman Sea, Thailand. |
This diver is dwarfed by a Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus). Whale sharks are the world's largest fish, reaching lengths of 12m or more. They are harmless filter feeders. Richelieu Rock, Andaman Sea, Thailand. |
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| image reference code: ws 19 | image reference code: wsdiver 101 | ||||
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A curious young Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus) investigates a pair of snorkelers. Richelieu Rock, Andaman Sea, Thailand. |
A diver struggles to keep pace with a Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus). Although whale sharks are usually very tolerant of divers, passive interaction is the best policy. Richelieu Rock, Andaman Sea, Thailand. |
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| image reference code: wsdiver 27 | image reference code: wsdiver 21 | ||||
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Sunlight dances across the back of a Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus), as it cruises a few meters below the surface. Ko Tachai, Andaman Sea, Thailand. |
A group of divers experience the thrill of swimming with a gentle giant, the Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus). Ko Tachai, Andaman Sea, Thailand. |
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| image reference code: wsdiver 24 | image reference code: wsdiver 93 | ||||
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A snorkeler is silhouetted by the sun as she swims beside a young Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus). Richelieu Rock, Andaman Sea, Thailand. |
A snorkeler observes a Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus) in clear, tropical waters. Ko Tachai, Andaman Sea, Thailand. |
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| image reference code: wsdiver 30 | image reference code: wsdiver 91 | ||||
Mark Strickland / Oceanic Impressions e-mail: info@oceanic-impressions.com |
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