Photo-monitoring whale sharks(The authors say their study suggests tha...)

Applying these guidelines to other locations along whale shark migration routes may offer a viable alternative to hunting these fish, one that yields both economic and conservation benefits, says Norman.

As a rare and highly migratory fish, whale sharks are a big draw for Ningaloos ecotourism industry, where tourists pay to get close views and even swim with the sharks. In spite of their gargantuan size, whale sharks are fairly docile; the main risk comes from getting in the way of their very large and powerful tails.

Based on 5100 underwater images contributed by hundreds of researchers, divers, and ecotourists, the authors obtained almost ten times more data than any previous study.

To study whale sharks in a meaningful way, we really had to rethink how we collect data and how we analyze it, says Holmberg. The results surpassed our expectations, allowing hundreds of individuals to contribute and providing the necessary data to obtain a closer look at the populations health.

Norman and colleagues note that while their study is encouraging for the Ningaloo whale shark populations, global concern over their future is justified, especially in areas where the sharks continue to be hunted for their fins and meat. The researchers hope others will apply their techniques to other whale shark populations, as well as to other species.

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