Donsol’s Whale Sharks

W

hale sharks are the biggest
shark and also the biggest
fish found in the sea. And Donsol’s
big claim to fame is that they come
to feed fairly consistently in its
waters. They are in the highest
numbers from mid-February until
the end of March but they can start
to appear much earlier and leave in
May when the hagabat winds start
coming in and make the bay murky.
They may actually start to show up
as early as the start of December or
late November if there have been
no big rains. A couple of years the
plankton the sharks seek has shown
up elsewhere and the sharks have
not come, but that is not the norm.
The ones that show up are young
males and not huge by whale shark
standards. Whale sharks reach 60
ft./18m and average 40 ft./13m and

weigh 8 -13 tons. So these aren’t

that big at 13-20 ft. (4-6m) and 2

tons. But they are bigger than

anything else swimming around the

bay. Thus, their dark forms can be

seen cruising just under the surface

in a tasty layer of Donsol Bay’s

plankton, small fish and crablets.

The spotters have great eyes as the

sharks rarely break the surface.

There is an association of whale

shark watching boats and the crews

are trained in spotting and

approaching the sharks. Everyone

must get a license and take a course

to see the whale sharks which is

done at the Department of Tourism.

The quick course is on video and is

well done. World Wildlife Fund

guidelines for whale shark

interaction are generally followed

in Donsol waters. Snorkelers are not

allowed to touch the fish and

everyone pays a conservation fee.

Whale shark feeding at Donsol