What is Photo Identification?
Photo Identification is a technique used for uniquely identifying and tracking whale sharks.
Every whale shark has a unique and distinctive pattern of spots along their forward flanks. These spots can be used for identification.
Very recently this method of identification has been automated using technology that has been adapted from astronomy (see New Scientest news service "Star Search Program Used to Trail Whale Sharks", 24 October 2005).
The really exciting thing about this is that anyone who has a camera and is lucky enough to encounter a whale shark can contribute to on-going whale shark research.
Research into whale sharks is on-going at many sites around the world, especially where there is a reliable population and there are an increasing number of recreational diving encounters with whale sharks. Every encounter you have is an opportunity to photograph a whale shark. The encounter and the photographs are both important to help understand whale sharks better and will assist in their conservation.
|
