Overview
- Passengers and crew on an American Princess Cruises 24-hour pelagic trip observed two whale sharks surface within feet of the vessel on Aug. 31 near the Hudson Canyon.
- Naturalist Chris St. Lawrence filmed the encounter, and the video shows the sharks’ unique spotted patterns that scientists use to identify individuals.
- Whale sharks are listed as endangered, researchers estimate roughly 200,000 remain worldwide, and experts say the species has declined markedly over recent decades.
- Marine scientists link the sighting to the Gulf Stream bringing warmer, food-rich water north, a process that can draw tropical and filter-feeding species into the canyon.
- NOAA is in the early stages of reviewing Hudson Canyon for National Marine Sanctuary status and officials and conservationists say sightings like this strengthen the case for more monitoring and protection.