Discover how you can help these gentle giants by being kind to the planet!
At the Be Kind Movement, we tend to focus on human to human kindness, but kindness to nature is also so important. Nature does a lot for us, so it's only fair we do what we can for nature.
International whale shark day (which happened on 30 August) is designed to raise awareness about protecting these amazing creatures which are vital to our ocean's ecosystems. They are also the world’s largest fish!
How do they help our ocean?
The food chain
Whale sharks are at the top of their food chain meaning that they have no other natural predators. Studies have shown that when a predator at the top of the food chain numbers decrease, its prey overpopulates massively and then eats all of its food supply - this then has a knock-on effect down the food chain. This is why it is so important to help stop the endangerment of whale sharks.
They show us the health of our oceans
Whilst whale sharks travel alone normally they often come together in large groups where plankton is abundant. The large amounts of whale sharks and plankton indicate the healthiness of the oceans.
Why do they need our help?
Plastic pollution
Like a lot of ocean creatures at the moment, whale sharks are suffering because of the increase of plastic in our oceans today. This affects the whale sharks in multiple ways, not only affecting their health by accidentally eating plastic but also their prey and habitats are being majorly affected by plastic pollution.
Fishing
Whale sharks feed close to the bottom of the ocean which means that they are very vulnerable to mass fishing nets. These nets are huge and are dragged across the bottom of oceans to catch fish, destroying the habitats and unfortunately being caught in the fishing gear. These majestic creatures are also caught for their fins as they are seen as a delicacy in some countries, even though their fins hold no nutritional value.
How can we help them with kindness?
Be kind to our planet
By recycling picking up litter and switching to plastic-free items where you can, we can reduce the plastic in our oceans and in turn help the whale sharks!
Adopt a whale shark
If you'd like to adopt one of these marvellous creatures to protect them you can through WWF who are fighting to protect the whale shark from further endangerment. Helping in any way you can not only help the whale shark but can help you feel good too!
Be kind to the ocean wildlife
One major way in which you can help the wildlife of the ocean, in general, is by reducing your fish intake or only eating fish from sustainable fishing. The marine conservation society has a Good Fish Guide to help you make more sustainable choices!
It is so important to be kind to our planet and the animals in it, so do what you can to help a whale shark today!
Useful links…
WWF
https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/whale-shark
Shark Trust