Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme (MWSRP), South Ari Atoll, Maldives.
School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK.
Sci Rep. 2021 Jan 13;11(1):937. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-79101-8.
The whale shark (Rhincodon typus) is an endangered species with a declining global population. The South Ari Atoll Marine Protected Area (SAMPA), Maldives, is one of few locations globally where year-long residency of individuals occurs. This SAMPA aggregation appears to consist almost exclusively of immature males. Due to its year-round residency, this local aggregation is subjected to a high degree of tourism pressure. This ecotourism contributes to the high level of interest and protection offered to whale sharks by the local community. Unfortunately, if regulations are not followed or enforced, tourism can bring with it major stressors, such as accidental injuries. We used POPAN capture-mark-recapture models and lagged identification rate analysis to assess the effect of major injuries on whale shark residency within SAMPA. Injuries may be obtained outside SAMPA. We found individuals with major injuries had a higher apparent survival in the area than those without. Lagged identification rates also demonstrated that sharks with major injuries are more likely to return to the area. We suggest that major injuries result in sharks prolonging their time in the developmental habitat. These findings have implications for individual fitness and the population viability of this endangered species. We propose targeted conservation strategies be considered to protect sharks from further injury. Based on the presented spatio-temporal distributions of sharks, and current local knowledge of sighting patterns, speed limit zones and propeller-exclusion zones should be implemented and enforced. If carried out alongside tourist education, these measures will contribute to the protection of whale sharks within SAMPA and beyond. Furthermore, our results can aid research direction, alongside regulation and enforcement development, at similar sites worldwide.
鲸鲨（Rhincodon typus）是一种濒危物种，其全球数量正在减少。马尔代夫的南阿里环礁海洋保护区（SAMPA）是全球少数几个个体全年居留的地方之一。这个 SAMPA 聚集区似乎几乎完全由未成熟的雄性组成。由于其全年居留，该地区受到高度的旅游压力。这种生态旅游使当地社区对鲸鲨产生了浓厚的兴趣和保护。不幸的是，如果不遵守或执行规定，旅游业可能会带来重大压力源，例如意外伤害。我们使用 POPAN 捕获-标记-再捕获模型和滞后识别率分析来评估主要伤害对 SAMPA 内鲸鲨居留的影响。伤害可能是在 SAMPA 之外发生的。我们发现，受重伤的个体在该地区的明显存活率高于未受伤的个体。滞后识别率也表明，受重伤的鲨鱼更有可能返回该地区。我们认为，主要伤害导致鲨鱼延长了在发育栖息地的时间。这些发现对个体的适应性和该濒危物种的种群生存能力都有影响。我们建议考虑采取有针对性的保护策略，以防止鲨鱼受到进一步伤害。根据鲨鱼的时空分布以及当前对目击模式的了解，应在当地实施限速区和螺旋桨排除区，并加强执行。如果与游客教育相结合，这些措施将有助于保护 SAMPA 内和以外的鲸鲨。此外，我们的研究结果可以为全球类似地点的研究方向、法规和执法的制定提供参考。
