Exploring the Mysteries of Whale Sharks: A Groundbreaking Expedition to Wreck Bay

In the remote northern reaches of the Great Barrier Reef lies a previously unknown whale shark aggregation in an area called Wreck Bay. Recently, Dr. Cameron Perry, a research scientist from Georgia Aquarium’s conservation team, embarked on a 10-day expedition to this secluded region. The goal? To deepen our understanding of whale sharks and their elusive behaviors, while also furthering conservation efforts.

A Needle in a Vast Ocean

The story of discovering whale sharks in Wreck Bay is nothing short of remarkable. Finding whale sharks within a large ocean basin is literally equivalent to finding a needle in a haystack. While Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia has long been a hub for whale shark research, the lack of whale shark sightings along the eastern coast represented a large data gap for whale shark populations in the southwest Pacific. 

However, researchers from Biopixel Ocean Foundation, Georgia Aquarium’s partner on this project, suspected suitable habitats existed along the eastern coast of Australia. Using environmental modeling—analyzing sea surface temperature, bathymetry, and marine productivity—they were able to identify a potential whale shark habitat. Thus, the first expeditions to Wreck Bay began.

Uncovering the Mysteries at Wreck Bay: Expedition Highlights

Over seven days in Wreck Bay, the research team encountered 45 whale sharks, identifying over 25 unique individuals and nearly doubling previous photo-ID records. But numbers tell only part of the story.

Groundbreaking Research Techniques

We deployed 15 tags on 14 individuals, using a mix of tracking technologies:

• Location tracking tags (SPOT)
• Advanced movement and environmental data tags (SPLASH10)
• Five special deep-dive tags capable of withstanding pressures at 2,500 meters depth

“This trip was incredibly successful,” said Dr. Perry. “Not only did we identify new individuals, but we also deployed 15 cutting-edge tags to track their vertical and horizontal movements, as well as environmental data.” 

Particularly noteworthy is the potential to document the deepest whale shark dive to date, surpassing the current record of 1,928 meters. 

Why This Matters

Wreck Bay’s story is one of persistence and discovery. For years, researchers believed that whale sharks were confined to Western Australia. Identifying Wreck Bay as an aggregation site has sparked numerous expeditions, providing valuable insights and data on whale shark movement patterns.

“Studying this population is crucial because it fills a critical data gap for whale sharks in the Southwest Pacific,” Dr. Perry explained. “While there are still significant data gaps in our understanding of whale shark populations. This expedition helps us build a more comprehensive picture of their movements, behaviors, and potential threats.”

The team also conducted pioneering research during this expedition, including:

• The first camera tag deployment on whale sharks along Eastern Australia
• Capturing microplastic samples to assess potential threats
• Collection of 17 biopsy samples – which will be used to study the genetics and feeding ecology of whale sharks within Wreck Bay

A Collaborative Effort

Field research on this scale requires a village. Georgia Aquarium, in partnership with organizations like Conservation International, Marine Megafauna Foundation, and Biopixel Ocean Foundation, pooled resources to make this expedition possible. 

“This expedition exemplifies the power of collaborative research,” said Dr. Perry. “By combining resources from other organizations, we maximize our potential for discovery.” 

The team’s efforts also extended beyond whale sharks. They tagged tiger sharks in southern reefs, collected genetic samples, and tracked sightings of other marine megafauna, such as oceanic manta rays and the rare Omura’s whale.

Looking Ahead

Georgia Aquarium’s work in Wreck Bay is just the beginning. The next steps include analyzing data from the tags, expanding habitat suitability models, and engaging with local communities to deepen understanding of whale shark movements. Plans are already underway to explore new regions further south, with the help of Marlin fishermen who report occasional sightings of these gentle giants.

For Dr. Perry, the mystery of whale sharks is what keeps him passionate about this work. “They’re the largest fish in the sea, yet we know so little about them.”

This expedition underscores Georgia Aquarium’s commitment to advancing marine conservation on a global scale. By bridging gaps in knowledge and fostering collaborations, these efforts help protect not only whale sharks but the ecosystems they call home.

Curious to see where these gentle giants roam? Follow along with BioPixel’s BioTracker to explore the journeys of whale sharks and other sharks across the globe!  

For more updates and behind-the-scenes insights into Georgia Aquarium’s conservation work, visit our Newsroom.  

Alongside Georgia Aquarium, thank you to the additional funders of this expedition: the Queensland Government’s Threatened Species Research (round 1) program, The Sapphire Project, Blancpain, Conservation International, SeaWorld Foundation, and the Slattery family trust.