Whale Shark Guide Training Manual Goes Live

A new online whale shark guide training tool written by the MWSRP has been launched. 

The idea of the whale shark guide training manual is to provide a free, downloadable resource that whale shark tour operators all over the world can use to train their staff. The course developed by the Travel Foundation, the Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme and Ecocolors includes sections on whale shark biology and ecology, research, conservation and guiding.

Whale sharks are slow moving sharks that are often found close to the surface making them perfect to swim with and as a result whale shark tourism is a burgeoning industry. Unfortunately in many places around the world whale shark

tourism is unregulated or due to a lack of resources, rules put in place are not being enforced.  For whale sharks this means an increase in boat traffic and collisions with vessels. Tourism on a large scale can also disturb the whale sharks behaviour and cause it to move away from important habitats.   

It is hoped that this course will help the tourist industry take the initiative. After all, more and more tourists are demanding that their excursions are eco-friendly. This online tool will enable guides to lessen the impact of their encounters on the whale shark whilst also delivering a more informative, enjoyable and safe whale shark experience for their guests.   It is a long term goal that governments or tourist industry bodies in countries where whale shark tourism is currently unregulated will adopt the course as an official certification.