The GWSP was born out of a deep curiosity about the magnificent whale sharks and an enduring love for the Oceans that surround us.
If you share the same curiosity for the wonders of the natural world and genuinely care about the health and preservation of our oceans, then we warmly invite you to enter our webpage and join our community of like-minded individuals!
Who We Are
We are an international team of passionate marine scientists, conservationists, and ocean advocates united by a shared commitment —to unlock the mysteries of whale shark ecology, behavior, and life history.
Our research spans multiple disciplines and regions, combining cutting-edge technology, field studies, and collaborative partnerships to gather critical data on one of the ocean’s most elusive giants. Our work doesn't stop at scientific discovery—we strive to translate our findings into actionable conservation strategies. By deepening our understanding of whale sharks, we aim to contribute to the broader efforts of ocean protection, supporting the designation of new marine protected areas and promoting sustainable policies for marine biodiversity. Together, we hope to safeguard the future of these majestic creatures and the ecosystems they call home.
What We Do
At the Galapagos Whale Shark Project, we employ a variety of innovative techniques to study and protect whale sharks, gathering crucial data to advance conservation efforts for this endangered species. Our research aims to better understand the behaviors, movements, and ecological roles of these gentle giants, all while contributing to marine protection strategies.
How to Help
You can support whale shark conservation in a variety of ways: Make a donation to fund critical research and conservation efforts, or become a member to stay connected with exclusive updates. Adopt a whale shark to contribute directly to our satellite tagging program and receive updates on your shark’s journey. Dive and shop with our eco-conscious partners to promote sustainable tourism and support our cause. Finally, follow us on social media and help spread the word by sharing our work to raise awareness and inspire ocean conservation.
What is happening to whale sharks worldwide?
In the past 75 years, global whale shark populations have declined by 50%. As a highly migratory species, whale sharks spend much of their lives on the move and rarely within the boundaries of marine protected areas (MPAs), especially since only 3% of the ocean is fully protected. In the open ocean, they face a plethora of anthropogenic threats, ranging from targeted and incidental fisheries, vessel strikes, marine plastic pollution, and the growing impacts of climate change, which could alter their distribution. As whale shark scientists, our mission is to identify the critical ocean areas essential to their life cycle, with the goal of establishing new MPAs to prevent this species from extinction.
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