Whale Shark Mexico was born from a deep fascination with the world’s largest fish and a commitment to protect it. In the early 2000s, marine biologist Dení Ramírez Macías encountered whale sharks in the Gulf of California and realized the urgent need to study and safeguard these gentle giants. At that time, little was known about their population, behavior, or the importance of La Paz Bay as a critical habitat.
What started as a small, passionate research effort quickly grew into one of the first long-term monitoring projects for whale sharks in Mexico. With limited resources—a boat, a camera, and a handful of volunteers—the team began identifying individual sharks, recording their movements, and building one of the most comprehensive photo-ID catalogs in the region.
Over the years, the project expanded into a full organization dedicated not only to research, but also to conservation, education, and sustainable management. Our findings have directly supported the recognition of La Paz Bay as a critical habitat, one of the few places in the world where both juveniles and pregnant females can be found.
Today, Whale Shark Mexico continues to lead research and conservation initiatives, while also engaging local communities, schools, and visitors. What began with a single encounter has grown into a mission: ensuring that future generations inherit healthy oceans where whale sharks can thrive.