Whale Shark Monitoring in La Paz Bay

In La Paz Bay we have maintained a whale shark monitoring program since 2003. Unfortunately, the data shows that up to 66% of juveniles have been struck by boats. In collaboration with the Mexican government, a Management Plan was created for whale shark tour operators.

Since 2009, and in collaboration with the Mexican government, we have been training the staff of tourist companies in La Paz Bay to promote the whale shark rules during their tours. During these training sessions, we share the results obtained from monitoring and from the analysis of injuries observed on whale sharks. We also promote the Management Plan, emphasize the importance of their participation and enforcement of the rules, and propose new strategies for effective management.

All the data we collect contributes to whale shark conservation and management in the region. More than 10 years of monitoring have been key to establishing La Paz Bay as a critical habitat for the species—an area in need of protection. In collaboration with the Mexican government, we worked to create a new protected area for whale sharks. Since 2018, La Paz Bay has been designated as a Whale Shark Refuge, a magical habitat that also protects many other species in the area.