We have had a spectacular month on the reef. The Wet (as we call it) has not set in properly yet and visibility has been better then average. A rare visit of a, most likely a juvenile, Whale Shark on the Great Barrier Reef just off Port Douglas has been the highlight for this month.
The Great Barrier Reef usually is not on the 'places-to-visit-list' for Whale Sharks, so when one comes around it is a sight to behold! Two years ago, in January and February, they were sighted as well, perhaps they finally have put Port Douglas on the map and will make regular returns to our waters. In the months of June, July, August and September we do see Minke Whales and Humpback Whales, but a Whale Shark is something different all together.
The Whale Shark is a filter feeding shark. It is the largest living fish species. The one that was sighted at the Great Barrier Reef in January was quite small and it was most likely a juvenile up from the southern waters. The Whale Shark is found in tropical and warm open oceans with a lifespan of about 70 years. Although Whale Sharks have very large mouths, they feed mainly on plankton and microscopic plants.
