This article is written by Sofía Green
In a historic and groundbreaking event, a tagged whale shark has returned to the Galapagos after an incredible ~7 month (210-day) journey across the Pacific Ocean (Image 1). Elise #262715 was tagged on June 21st at Darwin Arch by divers from the Galapagos Whale Shark Project (Image 2 & 3). This adult female whale shark, measuring between 10 and 11 meters, was previously unknown to the Wildbook for Sharks, marking this as her first recorded sighting in the Galapagos.
Elise’s remarkable journey, now covering >17,000 kilometres (surface track) over the course of just under 9 months, illustrates the vast distances whale sharks are capable of traveling. Her path initially took her north-westward, traveling a straight-line distance of 4,226 kilometers from where she was tagged at Darwin Island (Lat: 1.665178°, Lon: -91.987012°) (Image 4). This underscores the urgent need for the establishment of more marine protected areas and the enforcement of high seas policies to safeguard migratory species like whale sharks.
Currently, Elise has been observed off the west side of the Galapagos Archipelago for the past month, within an upwelling zone, suggesting potential foraging behavior (Image 5). This new movement could reveal previously unknown habitat use in the Galapagos for whale sharks, providing vital insights into their behaviour in the region. She has now left the GMR in the general direction of mainland Ecuador or Peru (Image 6).
The Galapagos Whale Shark Project team with the Galapagos National Park will continue to track Elise and gather data to enhance our understanding of whale shark habitat use and migration patterns. This research is critical for developing effective conservation strategies to protect these magnificent creatures throughout their life cycles.
About The Author
Sofía Green is a marine biologist from Ecuador specializing in conservation and ecology, with a focus on whale shark behaviour and movement ecology. She holds a master’s degree in marine Biological Resources. Based in the Galápagos Islands, she works as a certified Galápagos naturalist and dive guide, leading expeditions that promote conservation and awareness about the beauty and importance of the natural world. She also works as an expedition coordinator, zodiac driver, and naturalist guide in Antarctica, sharing her expertise in polar and marine ecosystems.
Sofía’s professional experience is diverse and includes roles as a university guest lecturer, dive liveaboard shark specialist, and researcher. She has worked with various NGOs, gaining extensive experience in field research, project planning, and conservation outreach. Her research experience spans shark ecology, marine invasive species, marine ecological monitoring, and sea turtle conservation. Her work has been featured in webinars, conferences, and public lectures, where she shares her commitment to marine conservation and education.
In addition to her scientific endeavours, Sofía is a dedicated wildlife photographer, contributing to various scientific expeditions and citizen science initiatives. She is also passionate about environmental and outdoor education, leading programs for local youth and organizing community clean-ups through “Chicas con Agallas” (Gill’s Club) and the Sustainable Ocean Alliance.
In her spare time, she practices freediving (AIDA Level II certified) and hopes to one day become a freediving instructor. She also enjoys rock climbing and any sport that keeps her outdoors and surrounded by nature.
Photo banner of Marine Iguana in the Galápagos Islands by Sumer Verma from Kogia’s Oceanic Library