Whale Shark Tagging set for Mid-February
Off the Diani Beach - South Coast
Coastweek - - The build-up in excitement is growing as the arrival date of the American research team from Hubbs Seaworld Research Institute is San Diego, California draws ever closer.
The team plan to arrive in mid-February for their annual 2 week whale shark tagging initiative.
In conjunction with the East African Whale Shark Trust, the researchers hope to tag several whale sharks with the latest, state of the art satellite tags.
They are also coming fully equipped with streamer tags which will enable the Trust to start a photo-ID database.
The satellite tags are attached to the whale shark using a sling-type Hawaiian spear-gun.
The tags are attached as deep as possible into the whale shark's very thick skin - they have the thickest skin in the animal world reaching up to 15cm thick.
The tags are programmed to pop-off after a specific pre-set period, usually around 6 - 9 months.
The data is then transmitted via satellite. Data includes date, time, dive profile, ambient light, ambient pressure, location (every time the shark surfaces), salinity level and temperature.
The streamer tags are similar to identity bracelets that the whale sharks wear - whenever a whale shark is spotted it will be easy to see if it is one that has been spotted before if it is wearing the numbered tag.
It is then possible to track where they go and even for how long.
Conducting this research is not always easy.
Conditions at sea can be difficult and the actual mechanics of tagging the sharks is far from simple.
he tagger has to get close enough to the shark to implant the tag properly knowing that each tag is valued at around US $ 5,000.
It is extremely important to affix the tag properly so that it does not fall off and get lost at sea before it has transmitted any data.
Sometimes even spotting the sharks is difficult and this year local pilots have pledged support to the research expedition.
They have very kindly agreed to help us spot the whale sharks from the air using their planes.
This will help us enormously in getting the scientists to the whale sharks.
Currently the Trust still needs help with the aviation fuel for the planes.
The scientists need four hours of aerial support per day which is 240 litres per day for 12 days.
There is an urgent need for support with the fuel for the planes to help us spot the sharks.
The other logistical aspects of the expedition have been covered by very kind pledges of support.
The transport and pick-ups are being done by Southern Cross Safaris and private individuals in the community.
The scientists will be hosted in the community along Diani beach.
Southern Cross Scuba and Trust founder Volker Bassen have pledged the use of their boats and dive gear.
Parasailing Adventures have also agreed to help spot for whale sharks using their new parasailing boat Tinga Tanga.
The expedition will be based out of Aqualand Watersports Centre, next to Pinewood Hotel on Diani/ Kinondo beach.
Aqualand is Kenya's leading watersports centre offering a host of watersports ranging from diving to fishing to kite-surfing.
It is the home of the EAWST and the heart of adventure watersports in Kenya.
Whale Shark Expedition 2007 promises to be a ground-breaking, history-making adventure in research and education.
Never before have whale sharks been tagged off the coast of East Africa.
This is a huge, exciting step for Kenya.
Whale shark tagging is still relatively new and we are taking a leap into the realms of the latest scientific, aquatic research.
Thanks to the whale sharks along our coastline we are placing Kenya firmly on the global whale shark map.
It is critical however that we don't lose sight of the end goal, which is to increase protection afforded to the biggest fish in the ocean.
Whale sharks are harmless and yet they are targeted all over the world for their valuable fins and liver.
They are also caught as by-catch in many areas such as our coastline.
The EAWST works very closely with local fishermen to try to reduce the number of whale sharks caught by mistake.
The fishermen project and education initiatives are progressing well.
We appeal to you the reader to get involved with Expedition 2007.
Come down to Aqualand Watersports Centre, attend one of our presentations or join the scientists and watch them work.
We want everyone to follow the exciting research being carried out along our coastline and feel a real pride in the work being achieved here by so many people working together.
Please contact us below for more information on how you can help us make history together !
Nimu Njonjo, Operations Manager, East African Whale Shark Trust, PO Box 933 -80400, Ukunda. Tel: 0720293156
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