Aggregation and feeding behaviour of whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) in Kwatisore Waters within the Cenderawasih Bay National Park, Papua

Abstract

Research on whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) was conducted from April to June 2020 in Kwatisore waters within the Cenderawasih Bay National Park. This study aims to assess the aggregation and feeding behavior of whale sharks in the boat lift net area anchored in Kwatisore waters. The results showed that whale shark aggregation, especially the number of individual whale sharks that rose to the surface of the waters took place every day and was highly dependent on the availability of anchovy (Stolephorus sp.) as a catch of the life boat. The whale sharks that rose to the surface occurred in the morning, afternoon and evening with a total of 82 occurrences in 4 units of boat lift net. The results of the chi-square statistical test showed that there was no significant relationship between the month of observation with the presence or emergence of whale sharks to the water surface in the morning, afternoon and evening. The whale sharks range in length from 4 to 7 m and are predominantly male. The eating behavior of whale sharks while close to the boat lift net area ranges from 4 to 30 hours each day by forming a unique pattern, namely the queue pattern. The behaviors of consuming food in the boat lift net area are in a vertical position and sucking anchovies provided by the fishermen.