It's August 30th, 🦈 International Whale Shark Day. On this day, we celebrate the whale shark – the largest species of fish on the planet, growing to a length of 40 feet or more and weighing in at as much as 47,000 pounds. Whale sharks are filter-feeders who eat mostly plankton and small squid and fish. Their enormous appetites demand up to 44 pounds of food daily.
Unlike most other sharks, the whale shark has a slow and gentle demeanor. It usually prefers to swim in shallow depths, which makes it extremely easy for people to catch it. They are continuously hunted for sport, fins, and meat. The whale shark market has led to a 50% decrease in the fish’s population since 1950, which in turn has caused it to be placed on the endangered species list. Their declining numbers negatively impact our planet's marine environments by allowing plankton and algae populations to grow unchecked. So you see, it's for our own sake, not just theirs, that we must help this gentle giant not only survive, but thrive. ☮️ Peace… Jamiese of Pixoplanet