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Rhincodon typus Smith, 1828 Whale shark |
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Isdang tuku Whaleshark, Botanding, Butanding, Tawiki, Tuki-tuki, Tuko, |
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photo by
Wirtz, P. |
| Family: | Rhincodontidae (Whale shark) | |||
| Max. size: | 1700 cm TL (male/unsexed); 2000 cm TL (female); max.weight: 34,000 kg; max. reported age: 70 years | |||
| Environment: | pelagic-oceanic; depth range 0 - 1928 m, oceanodromous | |||
| Distribution: | Circumglobal, all tropical and warm temperate seas except the Mediterranean.
Identified as one of the species with an unfavorable conservation status in Appendix II of the Bonn Convention for the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals in 1999. Classified as a highly migratory species, in Annex I of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) which called for 'coordinated management and assessment to better understand cumulative impacts of fishing effort on the status of the shared populations' of these sharks (Ref. 26139).
Included in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) since May 2003. This can partially implement the original objective of the FAO International Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks (IPOA-Sharks). However, international trade still exists. |
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| Diagnosis: | Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0-0; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 0-0. A huge, filter-feeding, blunt-headed shark with a distinct checkerboard pattern of yellow or white spots, on grey, bluish or blue-grey to green-brown back, white or yellowish underside, with horizontal and vertical stripes on back and sides of body; head broad and flat; snout short; mouth almost terminal, huge and transverse in front of eyes; prominent ridges on body, lowest terminating in a keel on caudal peduncle (Ref. 58085, 114967); nostrils with rudimentary barbels; long nasoral grooves; spiracles close to and larger than eyes; 5 exceptionally large gill openings, the fifth behind pectoral fin (Ref. 110893, 114967); numerous small, scale-like teeth and feeds by filtering plankton with special sieve-like modifications of the gill bars (Ref. 26938). | |||
| Biology: | World's largest fish, but is harmless to humans (Ref. 6871). Grows up to 20m (Ref. 48722). Often seen offshore but coming close inshore, sometimes entering lagoons or coral atolls (Ref. 247). Sometimes seen cruising near outer wall (Ref. 26938). Reported to frequent shallow water areas near estuaries and river mouths, sometimes during seasonal shrimp blooms (Ref. 48696). Found singly, or in aggregations of over 100 individuals (Ref. 5578). Often associated with groups of pelagic fishes, especially scombrids (Ref. 247). Highly migratory between ocean basins and national jurisdictions, but returns to the same sites annually (Ref. 48672). Feed on planktonic and nektonic prey, such as small fishes (sardines, anchovies, mackerel, juvenile tunas and albacore), small crustaceans and squids (Ref. 247). Often seen in a vertical position with the head at or near the surface when feeding (Ref. 13571). When actively feeding on zooplankton the sharks turn their heads from side to side, with part of the head lifted out of the water, and the mouth opened and closed 7-28 times per minute; these suction gulps were synchronized with the opening and closing of the gill slits (Ref. 35680). Ovoviviparous, with litter size of over 300 pups (Ref. 37816, 43278). Females of 438 to 562 cm are immature (FIGIS 09/2003). Utilized fresh, frozen, dried and salted for human consumption, liver processed for oil, fins used for shark-fin soup, offal probably for fishmeal (Ref. 13571), cartilage for health supplements and skin for leather products (Ref. 48723). Used in Chinese medicine (Ref. 12166). Highly valued commodity in ecotourism operations. Populations have been depleted in several countries by harpoon fisheries (Ref. 48696). | |||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Endangered (A2bd+4bd) (Ref. 96402) | |||
| Threat to humans: | harmless | |||
| Country info: | Reported in 10 sites in the Philippines, 3 of which are MKBA sites of the SMARTSeas project. Known from Bacon, Sorsogon (Ref. 58652) and Lanuza Bay (Ref. 104756). On 9 March 2009, a 15-inch (38 cm) juvenile was found in Donsol waters (Ref. 80540). Reported to frequent shallow water areas near estuaries and river mouths, sometimes during seasonal shrimp blooms (Ref. 48696). On March 25, 1998, the Department of Agriculture issued Fisheries Administrative Order 193, protecting the species from exploitation. Illegal trade from the Philippines to Taiwan and Hong Kong was intercepted in 2000 (Ref. 48672). A seasonal fishery exists during the months of April to May. Ninety sharks were reported to have been taken during the 1996 fishing season (Ref. 26319). Also Ref. 247, 280, 13571, 110893, 43278, 58652. | |||
| Entered by: Carpenter, Kent E. - 15.06.92 |
| Modified by: Luna, Susan M. - 24.05.17 |
| Checked by: Garilao, Cristina V. - 07.06.95 |