In our country,\nofficially the season for observing and swimming with the whale sharks in the\nMexican Caribbean begins May 15 and ends September 17. It is an activity unique\nto the region, which allows you to swim with the largest fish in the world in\none of the most important zones of aggregation for the species. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
During the\nlast 15 years, more than 1,115 different whale sharks have been reported in the\nMexican Caribbean waters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This majestic\ngiant favors the Mexican Caribbean because the zone is rich in its main food, zooplankton.\nThey are a group of small animals composed of, among other things, fish eggs\nwhich are the favorite dish of the whale sharks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Experts\nestimate that whale sharks can ingest 2.5 to 12 kg of zooplankton per hour, and\nthey can spend between 7 and 11 hours daily feeding. Therefore, just one whale\nshark can consume between 17 and 132 kg of food a day, depending on its size\nand the quantity of food available in the areas of aggregation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the\npresence of an ocean phenomenon called \u2018upwelling\u2019 -which promotes the\nflourishing of microscopic algae that provoke an increase in the quantity of\nthe zooplankton-, which increases during the months of May to September, the\nMexican Caribbean becomes ideal for the presence of the whale sharks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Promoting\nand encouraging their protection<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Because\nthis majestic species is highly migratory, the feeding zones and the times\ndedicated to this activity are extremely important for the recovery and storage\nof energy that allows them to continue with their movement and complete their\nbiological cycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This\nspecies has been considered endangered since 2016, according to the Red List of\nThreatened Species (IUCN). Therefore, August 30 is a day of reflection so that\ntogether we can contribute to and encourage sustainable tourist activity for\nthe social, cultural and economic benefits that its presence brings to the\nlocalities that offer this unique tourist attraction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In Mexico, Pronatura\nPen\u00ednsula de Yucat\u00e1n A. C.<\/strong>, Centro de Investigaci\u00f3n y de Estudios\nAvanzados of the IPN (CINVESTAV M\u00e9rida Unit)<\/strong> and the Comisi\u00f3n\nNacional de \u00c1reas Naturales Protegidas<\/strong> (National Commission of\nProtected Natural Areas) have collaborated for 15 years to generate information\nthat helps us to learn about, value and protect this marvelous species, with\nthe help of the WWF-Carlos Slim Foundation Alliance <\/strong>during the last 5\nyears.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/fundacioncarlosslim.org\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/dia-internacional-tiburon-ballena-2019-2-1024x683.jpg\")
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