Whale Shark Exploration in the Andaman Sea

February 13-21  & March 23-31, 2011

Golden Buddha Beach Resort invites divers with an interest in adventure, conservation and nature to participate in our Whale Shark Program in February and March 2011.  Includes 4 nights at the resort and 4 nights on liveaboard boat.

Golden Buddha’s involvement with Whale Shark research began 5 years ago as a collaboration with Ecocean. The objective is to search for, identify and help track whale sharks in Thailand's Andaman Sea. From 2010 onwards, data gathered is being submitted to both Ecocean and the Shark Trust’s research, which is conducted in conjunction with PADI’s Project AWARE marine conservation organisation. Their identification and tracking databases uses state of the art technology based on an algorithm pioneered by NASA scientists working with the Hubble space telescope to record and identify constellations. The breakthrough for marine biology and conservation came when Brad Norman, the Australian marine scientist and Rolex Laureate, adapted and applied this formula to identifying individual whale sharks by their unique pattern.

Unlike older tracking and monitoring methods that involve invasive radio tagging, our program uses underwater digital cameras as the primary tool. Divers simply photograph the whale sharks' spot patterns (then the digital image is uploaded to the databases of Ecocean and the Shark Trust/Project AWARE). Divers are also instructed on keeping the proper distance from the sharks and making minimal impact on the surrounding environment. As Brad Norman said, “I think it is really the way ecotourism should be- leaving no footprints”. Guests of Golden Buddha and divers who participate in our Whale Shark program are the type of individuals drawn to adventure but at the same time realize that without conservation and protection such experiences would not be possible.

One of the most personally rewarding aspects of this research is that the technology allows individual sharks to be identified and recorded. So for example a whale shark spotted at Richelieu Rock by one of our divers can be identified as the same whale shark spotted 1000 miles away feeding in the Red Sea at an earlier or later date. When whale shark photos are logged in the online libraries, each shark is assigned its own number and when someone photographs the same fish again, both photographers are informed by email. In this way you can track of the progress of 'your' shark as others spot it.

In 2005 Brad Norman first tested the concept in Australia and a year later he received the Rolex Award for Enterprise in recognition of his innovation in marine biology. This sponsorship has allowed Brad to take his system worldwide to more than 20 countries where whale sharks are often sighted. A few years ago Golden Buddha was honoured to host Brad Norman. "We've identified 1000 individual whale sharks worldwide since we started" said Brad Norman. Whale Sharks are often spotted in Thailand's Andaman Sea, especially near Richelieu Rock. In our 2010 Whale Shark Program, run by Blue Guru Diving, we added a new whale shark sighting to the Ecocean and Shark Trust’s databases. We hope to add more new sightings during our 2011 Whale Shark Program.

Golden Buddha Beach Resort was the first resort outside Australia to give visitors the opportunity to participate in what has now become a global tracking program, comprising institutions and individuals all over the world. Participants in our Whale Shark Program search for whale sharks at some of the best dive sites in Thailand, including Richelieu Rock, Koh Tachai and Koh Bon, also famous for Manta Rays. However, it should be remembered that whale sharks are rare fish and there is no guarantee of seeing one.

Just visiting Thailand is an adventure in itself but actually diving here to seek whale sharks is amazing. This is an opportunity for divers to give something back. Brad summed things up nicely by stating “The whale shark project proves that ordinary people can play an important part in helping to conserve wildlife and protect the oceans”. Although everyone is encouraged to participate in this worthwhile project we have requirements to ensure the safety of divers.

Detailed itinerary and prices	Read about Brad's visit to Golden Buddha in the Bangkok Post

Requirements:

1. All divers should be a minimum of PADI open water certified or equivalent, ideally Advanced. Both these certifications can be gained during the program.

2. Participants should feel confident in their diving skills. The dive sites occasionally experience strong currents and are located in a remote part of Thailand.

3. All participants should have adequate dive, accident and travel insurance

4. Itineraries may change depending on sea and weather conditions.

 - Dive equipment rental is included in the price.

 - Dates: February 13-21 & March 23-31, 2011

To learn more and book, please download the Details.

Packages can be custom tailored to include activites for non-divers.  For details, contact Helen.