Background The whale shark (Rhincodon typus) is a prominent species in Cenderawasih Bay. Its recent association with moored lift-net fisheries there has led to an increase in tourism that facilitates encounters for human snorkelers and SCUBA divers with the sharks. This association has also supported opportunities for research to discover various elements of their biology, ecology, movements and genetics. An understanding of the genetic composition of the sharks in Cenderawasih Bay and their relationships with whale sharks elsewhere in the Indian Ocean and Western Pacific Ocean is important for their conservation and to help design marine protected areas. Approach Skin samples from whale sharks in Cenderawasih Bay were collected with modified hog ear notch pliers and small biopsy tips. The samples were preserved in 96% ethanol and stored at 4°C in the laboratory until DNA extraction. The DNA template was amplified for the cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene. The nucleotide composition and genetic diversity (polymorphisms, haplotypes, and nucleotides) were analyzed. The results from whale sharks in Cenderawasih Bay were compared with those available in Genbank for nearby areas of the Indian and Western Pacific oceans with the neighbor-joining method. Evolutionary distances and haplotype networks were calculated. Results Seven haplotypes were detected among the 31 whale sharks sampled in Cenderawasih Bay, for a haplotype diversity (Hd) of 0.1871 (variance = 0.00859, s.d. = 0.093). The nucleotide diversity (Φ) was 0.00244 (±0.0013) and the values for theta were 0.75094 per shark and 0.00722 per site. The neighbour-joining tree for individual whale sharks from Cenderawasih Bay and other regions appeared to be closely related to each other. They also appeared to be closely related to whale sharks sampled elsewhere in the Indian and Western Pacific oceans (Chi-square, Chi2: 3.620, df: 5, p: 0.605). Haplotype one has highest frequency (37 individuals), one haplotype has two individuals, and six other haplotypes each have one individual. The three last haplotypes have just one individual, respectively. The whale sharks that we sampled in Cenderawasih Bay had low genetic diversity (haplotype, nucleotide and polymorphic). Conclusion 31 whale sharks in Cenderawasih Bay were very closely related, and these sharks were closely related to whale sharks elsewhere in the Indian and Western Pacific oceans. The extent of movements among reproductive sharks in this large region is unknown as is the frequency and magnitude of mating among sharks from these different areas. Further research is needed to monitor the long-term movements of sharks within and among regions, particularly reproductively mature males and females, to help design conservation plans for whale sharks and the habitats that they might depend on for feeding andreproducing.

Background The presence of whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) in Wondama Bay has long been known and the species is an icon of this region. In addition to their enormous size, these sharks are not dangerous to or fearful of humans, so there has been growing interest in utilizing this animal for eco-tourism. Within Wondama Bay, whale sharks distribute in several regions, including Kwatisore waters. Since biological information on this species is lacking, the present study aimed to investigate the whale shark population using photo identification, frequency of appearance, sex, and scars on the body. The information obtained from this study is important for species conservation and management. Approach The research was performed in Kwatisore waters of Wondama Bay during 2010–2013, and continued from April to June 2014. Whale shark identification was based on photos taken by divers by plotting three reference points, i.e. the top of the fifth gill slit, the posterior-most point where the pectoral fin meets the body, and the bottom of the fifth gill slit (Brooks et al., 2010). During each encounter, the animals were length measured, sex was identified through the presence or absence of claspers, and the position of scars and wounds were determined on the body. Results The total number of whale sharks encountered in Kwatisore waters were 120 and 19 animals for the period of 2010–2013 and 2014, respectively. Based on ID pictures, the population was composed of 126 sharks consisting of 122 males and 4 females. With regard to 2014 observations, the animals were all males and were immature, as the average body length was 4 m. The greatest number of sharks was observed between 0600–1200 hours, during which time 80 individuals were seen on the surface. It was found that 58% of the population had scars and wounds, of which 34% were on the lips and 25% on the fins. Conclusions Data on IDs and body length of each individual, as well as sex composition, are important information for understanding whale shark population structure, and will benefit the conservation and management of these animals.

Background The composition of sex and size of a population is important for management and conservation of marine organisms, including high mobility and global species such as the whale shark, Rhincodon typus. The presence of fish in lift nets in some Indonesian waters attracts feeding whale sharks. The objective of our study was to compare the sex, size and behaviour of whale sharks associated with lift nets in Cenderawasih Bay, Papua and Talisayan, East Kalimantan. Approach Data sampling was conducted for 52 days during April'June 2013 in Teluk Cenderawasih National Park, Papua and 60 days during August–October 2015 in Talisayan, East Kalimantan. Daily monitoring was carried out at lift nets located within the study area. Individual identification was conducted with photographic identification, sex determination was done through visual observation of the presence of reproductive organs, and size measurement was done by comparing the shark length with the observer–s height. Analysis of the fish catch was obtained by interviewing fishermen, and observation from the lift net was conducted to support the data. Results A total of 134 observations and 81 observations were recorded in Cenderawasih Bay (57 lift nets) and in Talisayan (43 lift nets), respectively. A total of 37 different whale shark individuals were identified in Cenderawasih Bay, and 30 different individuals were identified in Talisayan. More than 50% of the whale sharks in Cenderawasih Bay, and 80% in Talisayan, had scars on their bodies. In Cenderawasih Bay, scars were spread across the body: 20% of the scars were found on the fins, 20% on the main body including the gills, and 15.6% near the mouth area. In Talisayan, 70.6 % of the scars were found on the fins, 2.9% in the main body including the gills, and 17.6% near the mouth area. The scars result primarily from friction with fishing nets. The whale shark aggregations in Cenderawasih Bay and Talisayan were dominated by juvenile males. From a total of 37 individuals, only one female was found in Cenderawasih Bay, and from a total of 30 individuals, only two females were found in Talisayan. The dominant size of whale sharks in Cenderawasih Bay was in the range from 3–3.9 m total length, with the largest animals in the range of 6–6.9 m. In Talisayan, the dominant size range was 4–4.9 m total length, with the largest animals in the range of 6–6.9 m. The high abundance of smaller fishes that are caught in Cenderawasih Bay and Talisayan by lift nets could attract whale sharks to the area. The largest number of whale sharks seen in Cenderawasih Bay was 14 individuals on May 14th, 2013. The fishery catch in this area fluctuates, with the highest catch being 365 kg on May 9th, 2013. Whale shark activity in Talisayan was lower than Cenderawasih Bay, even with a greater lift net catch. The largest number of whale sharks seen in Talisayan was 8 individuals on August 25th, 2015. The lift net catch in this area also fluctuates, with the highest catch being 5,325 kg on August 25th, 2015. Conclusion The appearance and activity of whale sharks in Cenderawasih Bay and Talisayan have similar characteristics. These aggregations are dominated by males with a size range of 3–6 m, which are still categorized as juveniles. They were often present at the surface, performing feeding behaviours that correlate with lift net activity.

Background The whale shark (Rhincodon typus) is an iconic species for Teluk Cenderawasih National Park (TCNP), West Papua and Papua. They appear regularly near lift-net fisheries (bagans) year round in some areas, especially near Kwatisore in West Papua, resulting in the development of limited tourism since 2009. The objective of our study was to document the characteristics (i.e., number, size, sex) of whale sharks that occur in TCNP. Approach We used photographs to identify whale sharks from natural patterns and other body markings that periodically appeared near operational bagans in southern Cenderawasih Bay. The photo ID technique was used to identify each individual based on the white body spot pattern. We also made subjective estimates of the relative sizes of each shark and determined whether they were male or female from the presence or absence of claspers. Results We obtained 8,530 photos of sharks from February 2010 through June 2015. From that database we tentatively identified 126 sharks, 83% of them male, 14% female and 3% undetermined. The estimated length of the sharks averaged 4.4 m (± 1.25 m, range = 2 m to 8 m). Around 40% of the individuals had scars, mostly around their mouths and fins. Most (59%) of the sharks were seen in one year, while only 3% were seen over more than one year during the five year study. Some exceptions were one shark that was seen 32 times over four years, and another that was seen 29 times over five years. Conclusions Juvenile male whale sharks appear to be transient and highly mobile in Cenderawasih Bay. Whether adult males or adult females occur here is not known, as they may not be attracted to the fishing bagans or do not otherwise approach the sea surface where they can be observed. Because of the increased tourism for whale sharks and the interactions of whale sharks with the fishing bagans, we recommend continued systematic observations of whale sharks and vigilant surveillance for understanding the dynamics of interactions among tourist activities, fishing operations, and whale sharks.

The purpose of this study is to determine the number of whale sharks that come or appear in Botubarani waters during the year of 2016 - 2017 and monitor the pattern of their live behavior in the amount of days. The monitoring methods used are by (1) using photo IDs to distinguish individual types of whale sharks, (2) monitoring by looking directly / visually and recording the occurrence of whale sharks written in the seasonal calendar system and (3) using acoustic-based technology, by installing 2 (two) units of acoustic receivers at a depth of 15 meters and installing 10 (ten) acoustic signal-transmitting markers on the Whale Sharks. The study was conducted in November 2016, May and November 2017. The number of individuals of whale shark that have been identified is 21 individuals of Whale Shark in total. While the live behavior patterns of Whale Sharks who are installed with acoustic transmitter tag says that whale shark measuring more than 3.5 meters come and stay for about 10 days in the waters of Botubarani. While the Whale Sharks less than 3.5 meters in size stay for about 1 - 7 days. The results of direct whale monitoring (visual) of the pattern of live behavior of Whale Shark in the number of days of emergence during the period November 2016 to November 2017 from the data obtained are: 17 days in November 2016, 2 days in January 2017, 14 day in February 2017, 8 days in March 2017, 28 days in May 2017, 21 days in June 2017 and 2 days in July. While Whale Sharks did not appear in Botubarani in December 2016, April 2017, August 2017, September 2017, October 2017 and November 2017. Keywords Whale Sharks, Photo IDs, Acoustic Bookmarks