SAVING OCEAN GIANTS.

The Global Whale Shark Research & Conservation Program

Whale sharks are an iconic species, the largest fish to have ever lived, but they’ve experienced a drastic decline of over 50% since the 1980s. This program’s mission is to safeguard whale sharks from further decline, while helping their populations recover.

What’s this program about?

Our Global Whale Shark Research & Conservation Program focuses on developing innovative and practical conservation strategies to protect these incredible creatures. Our team's expertise in whale shark research has garnered worldwide recognition.

 

Explore MMF’s Global Whale Shark Research & Conservation Projects:

Mafia Island, Tanzania

Madagascar

Galapagos

Oman

Mozambique

Our whale shark research and conservation receives acclaimed media coverage.

Whale Shark Research Team

Our small team – led by a global authority on whale sharks, Dr Simon Pierce – has garnered international acclaim for their groundbreaking research, combining their diverse scientific expertise to advance the conservation of these enigmatic ocean giants.

We co-authored the first-ever scientific textbook on whale sharks.

This book covers the biology, ecology, and conservation of whale sharks, the largest fish that has ever lived, to discuss the lives of these awesome ocean wanderers. Delve into each chapter’s abstract to see what the book is all about.

See us in the field.

TANZANIA

Mafia Island is a hub for ecological studies on whale sharks. Our research covers various aspects of their lives, including their movements, feeding ecology, genetics, population trends, behavior, social grouping, health, and the human threats they face.

GALAPAGOS

The collaborative team conducted the first-ever ultrasound scans of wild whale sharks, collected blood samples and attached satellite transmitters to large female whale sharks to find out more about their reproduction & movements.

Virtual Talks with
Dr. Simon Pierce

Are you part of a dive center or company passionate about marine life? Join Dr. Simon J. Pierce, a world-renowned expert in whale shark conservation, for an exclusive virtual live experience. Dr. Pierce is not only a pioneering researcher in the field but also a compelling speaker dedicated to inspiring marine conservation efforts globally.

100% of proceeds support the Global Whale Shark Program.

    • The Secret Life of Whale Sharks: Understanding the World's Largest Fish

    • Insights from the Field: Latest Research and Discoveries

  • Dr. Simon J. Pierce is a principal scientist and co-founder of the Marine Megafauna Foundation. He has led global conservation assessments and authored the first-ever scientific textbook on whale sharks. His work is pivotal in shaping whale shark conservation strategies worldwide.

    Read his full bio here.

    • Duration: 1 Hour incl. Q&A

    • Platform: Virtual (Zoom)

    • Donation: $500 (Tax deductible donation, with100% of proceeds supporting the Global Whale Shark Program)

    • Tailored Content: Sessions can be customized to focus on areas of particular interest to your group.

  • To book a live lesson with Dr. Pierce, or for more information, please enquire below with your details and preferred dates. We offer these exclusive sessions to help raise awareness and funds for whale shark conservation, and your participation makes a significant difference!

Help us Save Whale Sharks

A recurring donation is a great way to help as this allows us to plan ahead.

If you’d like to fund specific projects, or would like to join as a corporate partner, drop us a line below to find out more. We’d love to hear from you!

Shop Waterlust.

Waterlust donates 10% of profits from their whale shark collection to The Global Whale Shark Program, and when you use the button below they donate an additional 20%!

Waterlust offers vibrant, environmentally-responsible apparel – our team genuinely LOVES their gear.