Whale Sharks of Cenderawasih – Photographs by Daniel Selmeczi

The biggest fish in the ocean, whale sharks are filter feeders, cruising tropical waters in search of plankton and small fish. Frequently on the move, encounters with them are usually brief, sometimes no longer than a few minutes. The recent discovery of a bay in New Guinea, frequented by whale sharks all year round, has changed that.

Local fishermen in Cenderawasih Bay have long used boats called bagans, equipped with platforms, nets and underwater lights, to catch small fish, ikan puri. These are kept under the bagan in a net until the catch is taken ashore. Whale sharks, attracted to the ready supply of fish, have learned to extract fish from the nets by sucking at them, stealing the fishermen’s catch.

Whale sharks are considered to bring good fortune, so the fishermen actively encourage their presence by feeding feed them, attracting greater numbers. There are now so many resident whale sharks that the bay has been designated a Marine National Park.

Photos © Daniel Selmeczi / stevebloom.com