Recent strandings and sightings of whale sharks in South Africa

Abstract

Available information on whale shark strandings around the coast of South Africa during the period 1984-1995 was collated. Stranded animals ranged in size from 3-11 m TL, most were immature and the sex ratio was even. Aerial observations and sightings by divers indicate that whale sharks are most abundant in South African waters during the austral summer and autumn months