Whale Shark Spatial Distribution & Conservation in the Gulf of California

This project focuses on whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) in the Gulf of California. The unique bathymetry of this sea makes the Vermilion Sea Field Station in Bahía de los Ángeles, Baja California, Mexico, an ideal site to study this endangered megafauna.

Researchers at the Vermilion Sea Institute have observed more frequent whale shark sightings during high tides compared to low tides. To better understand their foraging behavior, photo-ID data of whale shark encounters will be combined with zooplankton sampling. GPS coordinates will help track the spatial distribution of both plankton composition and whale shark presence.

Using the long-term dataset from Sharkbook, which includes spot-mapped individuals from 2012 to the present, encounter patterns will be visualized through ArcGIS Online (ESRI). Zooplankton samples collected during both high and low tides at different depths and locations will be analyzed using basic microscopy techniques to determine species abundance and diversity.

By comparing this data with whale shark sighting frequency and spatial distribution, the study aims to reveal what drives these animals to concentrate in certain areas at a fine spatial scale. Ultimately, this research seeks to contribute to the broader scientific understanding of whale shark behavior and inform conservation strategies, especially in Bahía de los Ángeles—an area where only a small portion of whale shark aggregation sites are currently monitored and protected.