Database

Maldives Whale Shark Photo Identification Library

24th of May 2001 we have started with collecting data's and pictures of whale sharks in the Maldives around White Sands Resort & Spa, South Ari Atoll. In August 2004 we have already over 350 data's of whale shark encounter collected. Now a day with the digital technology we invite even our guests to take simple pictures with their own digital underwater cameras of whale sharks, for the further use in the research field. We are sending our pictures to other research centre and therefore we are trying to take pictures with a worldwide special picture technique.

Whale sharks have marks like fingerprints identification can be done with a concentration on the area behind the gills above the pectoral fin on the left side of the whale shark. This worldwide recognized technique is used to identify whale sharks in an easy way. Of course we have many whale sharks with special scars and markings and we take pictures of those scars as well, to identify individuals.

With the Maldives photo identification website and with your help, observations, and pictures, we can find out much easier how long the whale shark migrate through the Maldives waters, and how long individuals stay within this region.

The whale sharks need your help, with your pictures, comments and observation you can assist us with the research on the whale sharks. Please submit your own whale shark encounter photos and observation into the Database. Your information will be used to help the endangered species whale shark. The whale shark library is visible for every body. Please ask your Dive enter in the Maldives about submitting your own pictures into the Library.

For further assistance please contact: support@whaleshark-id.net