Journal Article
Whale shark Rhincodon typus strandings in the Gulf of California, Mexico
Darren A. Whitehead; Edgar E. Becerril‐García; David Petatán‐Ramírez; Abraham Vázquez‐Haikin; Rogelio González‐Armas; Felipe Galván‐Magaña
Journal of Fish Biology · Vol. 94, Issue 1 · pp. 165-167 · 2019
Abstract
The present study analyses whale shark Rhincodon typus stranding in the Gulf of California, Mexico, reported by the public, scientists, authorities and artisanal fishermen. A total of 14 strandings were documented during the period 2001–2018. The total length of R. typus ranged from 350–1,102 cm, with a sex ratio of 3.5:1 (males: females). This study highlights potential stranding areas, the need for better stranding protocols to assist R. typus recovery and the importance of samples from dead animals for scientific research.