Are humans a threat to whale sharks?

Like human fingerprints, whale sharks have a unique pattern of spots which allow individual sharks to be identified. By taking photos and cataloguing ... of non-target species in fishing gear. And whale shark tourism presents a threat to the species as it can interrupt their feeding and sharks can be injured by boat propellers. read more

Whale sharks are highly valued on international markets. Demand for their meat, fins and oil remains a threat to the species, particularly by unregulated fisheries. They are victims of bycatch, the accidental capture of non-target species in fishing gear. read more

The only known predator of the whale shark is humans.The mouth of the whale shark is massive, reaching a width of approximately 1 meter (over 3 feet). Only 3 shark species (the whale shark, the basking shark, and the megamouth shark) are filter feeders, straining their prey from the water column. read more

Yes, but not because people are trying to kill them outright. As far as I know, whale sharks are not hunted, or have any commercial use, so as far as deliberate killing, humans are not a threat to them. read more

And whale shark tourism presents a threat to the species as it can interrupt their feeding and sharks can be injured by boat propellers. What WWF Is Doing A WWF-supported ecotourism project that focuses on swimming with whale sharks (while following strict rules to avoid disturbing the animals) has brought a flourishing tourism industry to Donsol, an island town in the Philippines. read more