USM Whale Shark Research

08/30/2026

Happy International Whale Shark Day!

While we think these large fish are just “fin-tastic”, here are some fun facts to know about these amazing animals:

⚪️ Each individual animal has a unique spot pattern similar to human fingerprints that make them easier to identify each shark

👁️ Whale Shark eyes are covered in scales to protect them from the environment

🍽️ Whale Sharks are filter feeders that eat some of the smallest animals including fish eggs, shrimp, copepods, and other zooplankton

📏 As the largest fish in the oceans, Whale Sharks can grow up to 40-60 feet long

Be sure to celebrate the largest fish in the sea today and everyday!

Remember to report your Whale Shark Sightings here: https://usmforms.formstack.com/forms/whale_shark_sighting_survey

08/24/2026

Our partner at WILDPATH has created a website highlighting our collaborative research on Whale Shark sightings and tagging.

The website has great information on reporting a Whale Shark sighting, best practices to keep the animals and yourself safe, and examples of photos to ID individual sharks.

Please go over to their website on best practices for encountering Whale Sharks in the Gulf. Link found below.

Website: https://wildpath.com/photography-with-purpose/whaleshark

Photography with a Purpose Whale Shark Citizen Science Since 2003, researchers at the University of Southern Mississippi (USM) have maintained a Gulf of Mexico whale shark sighting database. Wildpath is partnering with a whale shark research team, including researchers from USM, Blue World Research....

07/29/2026

Ever wonder what life looks like as the ocean’s largest fish?

POV: You’re a 30-foot whale shark cruising the Gulf of America with a camera attached. 🌊

Location: Off the coast of Florida in the Gulf of America

Situation: You are hungry and just came upon a recent fish spawn!

Studying the ocean's largest fish is no small task. To learn about their feeding behavior, movements, and social interactions, our scientists use special tags—including some equipped with cameras! 🎥

Even though whale sharks are humongous (they can weigh up to 40 tons!), they survive on microscopic meals—especially fish eggs. Scientists at NOAA Fisheries Service, USM Center for Fisheries Research and Development, Blue World Research Institute, and FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute are collaborating to identify the exact fish species whose eggs are important to whale shark diets in the Gulf of America. This vital data helps us predict their movements and better protect these magnificent creatures.

Happy Shark Week!

Music Credit: Universal Production Music
Video Credit: Blue World Research Institute

07/26/2026

07/24/2026

Come see us this weekend at the Mississippi Aquarium!

06/29/2026

Whale shark sighting coming in from a collaborative project we are also apart of! 🎥🦈

FWC FIM underwater video array caught a sighting of a whale shark on their annual S-BRUV survey. What an exciting find!

Collaboration between various groups around the Gulf and citizen participation in our sighting survey really helps us understand the spatial utilization of these spotted giants!

👀 Submit your sighting reports here: https://usmforms.formstack.com/forms/whale_shark_sighting_survey

06/25/2026

Thank you for coming out with us Tampa Bay Times and highlighting our research on the largest fish in the Gulf!

If you have your own Whale Shark encounter, please fill out a sighting survey and help us understand their usage of Gulf waters : bit-ly/whale-shark-report

I peered into the eyes of a whale shark offshore Florida. Here’s what it taught me | Link in comments ⬇️

05/29/2026

Thank you for the write up The Boca Beacon!

05/29/2026

Our research is featured on NOAA’s website🌊🦈

One year ago today, researchers deployed a satellite tag on a whale shark off the coast of Tampa Bay, Florida. They never could have anticipated the epic journey that would ensue.

05/28/2026

When it comes to studying the largest fish in the sea, taking accurate length measurements is challenging! To estimate the size of the whale sharks we encounter, our team relies on photography. Since these massive animals are constantly on the move, our scientists snorkel with the sharks and take photos using specialized SeaGIS stereo cameras with lenses at a fixed distance apart.

Once we return to the lab, we process these images using EventMeasure SeaGIS software. The stereo images allow for length measurements that can then be extrapolated to obtain the full body length. Knowing a whale shark’s length can help us estimate population demographics and maturity.



NOAA Fisheries Service
Blue World Research Institute