Help Me Research Whale Sharks!

I have been given a unique chance to travel to the Maldives and assist The Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme with collecting data on the local population of whale sharks!

Something like this has always been a dream of mine, and it blows my mind still that I have this chance!

A little about the program (taken from their website):

"What initially began as a scientific expedition in 2006, the MWSRP has grown to become the only long-term organisation dedicated to study the iconic, yet vulnerable whale shark species in the Maldives.

Our goal is simple: we seek to advance the field of whale shark knowledge and to advocate for sound conservation policy in the Maldives. By encouraging and valuing community and industry stakeholder participation, we are able to leverage the scientific research to safeguard the rich biodiversity and fragile marine ecosystems that are the basis for not only whale sharks, but also life, livelihood and culture in the Maldives."

I have updated the funding goal so that ALL the money raised is going to the MWSRP!!!

The money donated to the MWSRP will help with their operational costs, the volunteer program, their research, and their community outreach!

Why research whale sharks?

Whale sharks, despite being the largest shark in the world, are a relative mystery, especially when it comes to their life cycle. Male whale sharks are sexually immature until they are near 30 years old, whichs suggests to scientists that they may be able to live as long as 150 years, and yet we know little about what they do during that time! It was as recent as 1995 that the scientific world became certain on whether or not whale sharks gave live birth or not (turns out they do!).

Whale sharks in The Maldives appear year-round (which is interesting, considering the species is migratory) and this local population appear to be in a certain stage of life; almost all appear to not be sexually mature. Additionally, of the over 200 sharks identified by the MWSRP, only 8 have been identified as female. I would help be a part of the research that might answer the "why?" questions being asked of the above information!

A chance like this is, to me, very rare and VERY exciting, and I truly hope that you will help me realize this almost life-long goal!

Thank you so incredibly much, and of course, as an Aggie, Gig 'em!