Affiliation: | 1. Instituto Politécnico Nacional. Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, La Paz, Mexico;2. Instituto Politécnico Nacional. Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, La Paz, Mexico Pelagios Kakunjá A.C, La Paz, Mexico;3. Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur, La Paz, Mexico;4. Ecosistemas Asociación de pesca deportiva y ecoturismo de Bahía de los Ángeles, Grupo de monitoreo comunitario PEJESAPO, Bahía de los Ángeles, Mexico |
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. |