Collisions between whale sharks and ships to increase as oceans warm

The study projects that by the end of the century, the co-occurrence of whale sharks and large ships could be 15,000 times higher than current levels.

In Short

• Researchers projected whale shark distribution under three different climate scenarios
• Asia is expected to experience the greatest potential habitat reductions
• Newly suitable habitats for whale sharks often overlap with busy shipping routes

A new study published in Nature Climate Change reveals that global warming could significantly increase the threat to whale sharks from large ships.

Researchers from the University of Southampton and Marine Biological Association (MBA) predict that rising ocean temperatures will force these endangered species into new habitats intersected by busy shipping lanes.

The study projects that by the end of the century, the co-occurrence of whale sharks and large ships could be 15,000 times higher than current levels.

This dramatic increase is primarily due to climate-driven habitat shifts, pushing the world's largest fish into areas with heavy maritime traffic.

Dr. Freya Womersley, lead author of the study, explains that these habitat shifts are most extreme under high emission scenarios. The research indicates that some countries could lose over 50% of their whale shark core habitats by 2100 if high emissions continue.

Using satellite-tracking data and global climate models, the researchers projected whale shark distribution under three different climate scenarios.

They found that while some areas, particularly in Europe, might gain suitable habitats, others face significant losses. Asia is expected to experience the greatest potential habitat reductions.

The study also highlights the importance of climate change mitigation. Professor David Sims, co-author of the research, notes that slowing warming and mitigating climate change could alleviate some of these complex impacts.

Alarmingly, newly suitable habitats for whale sharks often overlap with busy shipping routes.

Areas of concern include parts of the North Pacific Ocean, Eastern China Seas, and North Atlantic Ocean. However, some regions, like the Gulf of Mexico, may see reduced co-occurrence as habitats shift to coastal waters.

This research further highlights the need to consider climate change in endangered species management strategies.

As shipping traffic is expected to expand significantly by 2050, the threat to whale sharks could intensify further, highlighting the urgent need for conservation efforts that account for future climate scenarios