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Shirley’s Profile

Scientific Name: Rhincodon typus
Date tagged: November 4, 2007
Type of tag: Ultrasonic coded tag
Gender: Female
Length/width: 10 meters
Age: Adult
Distinct Markings/characteristics: Bulging pelvic area, possibly pregnant
Location tagged: Wolf Island – 38 km southeast of Darwin Island, Galapagos, Ecuador
Tagged by: Ernie Kovacs

SHIRLEY’S TRAVEL LOG

Expedition Report No. 1 - The Quest for a Gentle Giant
Finding and tagging a whale shark
James T. Ketchum1, Alex Hearn2, and A. Peter Klimley1
1Biotelemetry Laboratory, Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology,
University of California, Davis, CA 95616
2Charles Darwin Foundation, Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz, Galápagos Islands, Ecuador

The Galapagos Marine Reserve (Fig. 1) is one of the largest marine protected areas in the world. With a dynamic mix of tropical and Antarctic currents, it constitutes important habitat for a wide variety of marine organisms, such as corals, penguins, seals, tunas and many different species of sharks. Additionally, the marine reserve appears to play an important role for migratory species like marine turtles, whales, and the whale sharks. The northern islands of the archipelago, Darwin and Wolf, are known to have a regular presence of whale sharks from July to November and so we embarked on our expedition there

Day 1 – October 28, 2007

We set sail to Darwin and Wolf Islands to carry out the tagging of whale sharks. The purpose of the tagging was to learn how these sharks move and where they go, utilizing ultrasonic and satellite telemetry. We used signature tags (Figure 2) and a Pop-up Archival Transmitting (PAT). The tags were affixed to the sharks by inserting a stainless steel dart with a pole spear (Figure 3). The signature tags are then detected by the ultrasonic listening stations strategically placed at different locations around Darwin and Wolf Islands (Figure 4). The PAT tag, on the other hand, detaches from the shark at a preset time and then relays the information to a satellite upon reaching the surface.

Day 2 – October 29, 2007
With a brief stop near Santiago Island in the central part of the archipelago, we arrived at Darwin Island. In the morning, we (a small group of free-divers) entered the water with the intent of tagging whale and hammerhead sharks. After tagging a few hammerhead sharks, someone spotted a whale shark, but the shark dove deeper and was unreachable. After a while, another whale shark appeared and then a third one. One of these sharks was moving at a shallower depth, so James Ketchum prepared his pole spear and was able to insert the dart behind the first dorsal fin (this shark has been sponsored by Business Network International). We attempted to tag a second whale shark, but the dart was bouncing off as if trying to puncture a concrete wall! After several failed shots we realized that the tag applicator had moved from its proper position preventing the dart to be fully inserted.

Day 3 – October 30, 2007
We looked for other whale sharks today but with no luck.

Day 4 – October 31, 2007
Today, we set sail to Wolf Island located 38 km southeast of Darwin (Figure 4).

Day 7 – November 3, 2007
For the past few days, we have tagged and tracked hammerhead sharks. During all this time we searched for whale sharks and none were found until today Peter Klimley spotted a whale shark briefly on the eastern side of the island.

Day 8 – November 4, 2007
Today, Alex Hearn saw one whale shark but was unable to tag it because of the strong current and deeper depth where the shark was swimming. This afternoon we went out again to try to find the whale shark. We searched for the whale shark on the eastern part of the island, where it had been spotted before, and tagged a few hammerhead sharks while we looked around. Finally, after a 20 minute search, the shark appeared out in the blue very close to one of us (James) while he was ascending to the surface after having tagged a hammerhead. It was a 10 meter long female with a bulging pelvic area, which may indicate pregnancy. The current was amazingly strong, however this time the shark was moving near the surface. It was quite hard to keep up with the shark due to the current, so we had to be picked up by a zodiac several times and taken up-current to catch-up. After a few attempts we were dropped right next to the shark. James tried to tag it with the PAT tag, but the dart unfortunately bounced off. Another member of the group, Ernie, had the signature tag and inserted the dart perfectly in place right behind the dorsal fin. At last, we were successful on tagging Shirley, the elusive shark!