Blue World Research Institute

09/01/2026

08/31/2026

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

08/29/2026

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....

08/28/2026

This is another project that has spun off of our whale shark vessel collision risk assessment project in the Gulf. Such cool animals and still so much to learn about them.

08/24/2026

This is the fifth year that we have helped Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute with the small cetacean entanglement response training.

Send a message to learn more

08/08/2026

08/01/2026