Whale sharks Rhincodon typus occurrence and bycatch record in Bangladesh marine territory..

This huge pelagic filter feeder first came in Bangladesh scientific report during late nineties.   Incidental capture and offshore records by fishermen predict the presence of whaleshark in Bangladesh marine territory.... [ view full abstract ]

This huge pelagic filter feeder first came in Bangladesh scientific report during late nineties.   Incidental capture and offshore records by fishermen predict the presence of whaleshark in Bangladesh marine territory. According to offshore fishermen during winter October to February every year whaleshark occur at southwest offshore from St. Martin Island and along Swatch of no ground(SONG). Our bycatch monitoring fishermen observed whaleshark at Swatch of No Ground and further down within continental self where water is deeper. Our marine megafuana and bycatch survey recorded whaleshark 50-60 kms west of St. Marin Island, and at 30 kms south of the island during winter. Fishermen claimed to have been sighted solitary and several individuals. We recorded 34 individuals incidental capture of size ranges 9 - 23 ft(n=34) during 1996-2017 along the coast of Cox’s Bazar, Chittagong and South central to southwest coast. Although this is not a target species they are accidentally caught in large drifting gill net of strong filament. Like other sharks if captured whalesharks also consumed only by tribal people and fins are exported like other sharks. Marinelife Alliance marine meagafauna program coordinating with scientists working in Indian ocean state about whaleshark movement and occurance. It is highly likely whaleshark of the Indian Ocean sharing Bay of Bengal and Bangladesh marine waters. We are starting satellite tracking in near future for better understanding of their movement pattern and seasonality. The major occurrence of the whale shark is assumed to be in winter period ding to our observation.