The Whale Shark is a real shark and is really huge, almost the size of a whale, hence its name Whale Shark!
Despite its menacing size and look, it is harmless as a hamster!
It feeds only on tiny shrimp and plankton and not flesh!
WHALE SHARKS COME TO THE PARTY!
NINGALOO WHALESHARK FESTIVAL 27 to 29 MAY 2011
Of all marine creatures, whale sharks are the most beloved. Unlike manta rays or turtles which are not pro-humans, whale sharks are reasonably friendly and curious towards humans and will allow homo sapiens to swim near it to stroke it. In Malaysia, when a whale shark is spotted, everyone from fishermen to divers and tourists jump into the water to try pat the amiable creature. It is said whale sharks have a sixth sense like dolphins and can detect subtle vibrations that denote if approaching creatures, be they human or otherwise, are friendly or hostile. They can probably sense our sense of joy and appreciation as we swim towards them! However in Ningaloo and all over Australia, it is NOT allowed to pat or touch them by law.
The Australian Department of Environment and Conservation states all swimmers must be at least 3 metres (10 ft) away from a Whale Shark. So you are forbidden to touch or stroke Whale Sharks in Ningaloo as the Aussies are pretty strict over such things. Not to deprive you of fun but to protect the Whale Sharks as they can be stressed out and badly upset. Since they cannot bite and swim so slowly we can really stress them unintentionally although all we want is love them and play with them!
The Ningaloo Whaleshark Festival 2011 will be held over the weekend of May 27 - 29, in and around the town of Exmouth, a two-hour flight from Perth, the capital of Western Australia.
The festival will interest all ages with activities including a fun run, bands, seafood displays, aerial displays, as well as photo and art exhibitions. Dr Brad Norman will give information on the whale shark and the photo ID program and Gulliver the celebrated giant whale shark will make his return to Exmouth. There will also be other visiting scientists and research groups displaying their findings.
Ningaloo Reef is a name recognised nationally and internationally as a ‘premier marine environment’, home to the most predictable, seasonal aggregations of whale sharks in the world.Whale sharks are also found in Malaysian waters but are so rare, erratic and unpredictable your chances of winning the lottery is the same as finding one swimming lazily near the shore!
The festival highlights the community’s relationship with the annual visitation of the whale shark. Swimming with the whale shark has become a popular activity for visitors to the region.The Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus) is the world's largest living fish, growing up to 18m in length with a possible life span of more than 100 years. These placid plankton feeders have a distinct pattern of white spots and stripes that is unique to each individual.
The festival’s objective is to bring together government departments, business, industry and community members to strengthen their relationships/ connection, while enhancing the education and celebration of the whale shark and its annual visit to Ningaloo.
The aim of the festival is to share and learn from each other’s experiences, present new advances in technology, ideas and research, and most importantly, to communicate these urgent issues through networking with one another.
Visit: http://www.ningaloowhalesharkfestival.com
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