International Whale Shark Day

About International Whale Shark Day

Let’s start by answering two important questions: what is International Whale Shark Day, and when is International Whale Shark Day?

International Whale Shark Day (also known as World Whale Shark Day) is a global celebration of the whale shark, held on 30th August each year. This day is an opportunity to raise awareness of whale sharks, share information on their role within their ecosystems, and promote conservation initiatives.

It’s also a chance to highlight the range of threats whale sharks currently face. These include climate change, wildlife tourism, and the fishing industry.

5 World Whale Shark Day facts

Take a look at our whale shark facts as we answer your burning questions and help you learn more about these magnificent fish.

1. Is the whale shark a whale or a shark? The whale shark is a shark, not a whale. In fact, it’s the largest living fish in our oceans.
2. How long is a whale shark? Whale sharks are usually around 12 metres (39 feet) long. However, whale sharks measuring 18 metres (59 feet) long have been recorded.
3. Where do whale sharks live? Whale sharks live across the globe, but they’re most often found in tropical oceans.
4. Are whale sharks intelligent? Whale sharks are intelligent and sentient beings. Fish, including whale sharks, experience joy and pleasure.
5. Are whale sharks endangered? Whale sharks are listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List, and their numbers are decreasing.

Why whale sharks need protection

Whale sharks face a number of threats in the wild.

Bycatch and entanglement

The fishing industry heavily impacts whale sharks. They are accidentally caught as bycatch and become entangled in ghost fishing gear.

Wildlife tourism

Whale shark tourism can harm rather than help. Some large aquariums keep these gentle giants in captivity for entertainment — denying them the freedom of the ocean. In the wild, whale sharks risk being struck by crowded tourist boats or stressed by divers who get too close, disrupting their natural behaviours.

Climate change

Warming ocean temperatures are forcing whale sharks into new, colder waters in search of food. This is bringing sharks closer to busy shipping routes and increasing the risk of injury or death as a result of vessel strikes.

Whale shark FAQs

What do whale sharks eat?

Whale sharks eat plankton, squid, molluscs, and fish, including sardines, anchovies, mackerel, and small tuna. Whale sharks are filter feeders, and they forage for food close to the surface of the ocean.

How much do whale sharks eat per day?

Whale sharks eat more than 20 kg of food every day. They also take in around 45,500 litres of water, filtering the food down their throats and allowing the water to escape back into the ocean through their gills.

How big is a whale shark?

The whale shark is the largest fish in the ocean. It measures around 12 metres (39 feet) long and weighs around 20,000 kilograms.

Can you swim with a whale shark?

No, swimming with whale sharks is a bad idea. It disrupts their natural behaviours and, in areas where wildlife tourism isn’t properly regulated, puts them at risk from vessel strikes. 

If you want to see whale sharks in the wild, travel to a Whale Heritage Site, where respectful and sustainable human-shark encounters are supported.