How big are whale sharks? And four other whale shark facts

Whale sharks are the world's largest fish, reaching up to 60 feet, and face threats from bycatch, the fin trade, plastic pollution, and climate change. WWF works to protect their habitats and reduce illegal trade, specifically supporting sustainable tourism and population monitoring on Mafia Island, Tanzania, where the population grew from 100 individuals in 2012 to around 180.

• Whale sharks are filter feeders that can grow up to 60 feet long and may live up to 150 years, though fewer than 10% of those born reach adulthood.
• Whale sharks face several anthropogenic threats: accidental capture in fishing gear, deliberate hunting for fins for the Asian market, and plastic pollution causing entanglement or ingestion. Additionally, climate change is warming ocean waters, which impacts their habitats, prey, and population shifts.
• On Mafia Island, Tanzania, whale sharks are permanent residents rather than migratory. WWF's collaboration with local communities and the tourism industry has contributed to a population increase from 100 individuals in 2012 to approximately 180.

APA

WWF International (n.d.). How big are whale sharks? And four other whale shark facts. https://www.worldwildlife.org/resources/facts/how-big-are-whale-sharks-and-four-other-whale-shark-facts/

Chicago

WWF International. How big are whale sharks? And four other whale shark facts. n.d. https://www.worldwildlife.org/resources/facts/how-big-are-whale-sharks-and-four-other-whale-shark-facts/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=WWF International |title=How big are whale sharks? And four other whale shark facts |url=https://www.worldwildlife.org/resources/facts/how-big-are-whale-sharks-and-four-other-whale-shark-facts/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{wwfinternationalndhow, author = {{WWF International}}, title = {{How big are whale sharks? And four other whale shark facts}}, institution = {WWF International}, url = {https://www.worldwildlife.org/resources/facts/how-big-are-whale-sharks-and-four-other-whale-shark-facts/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }