The National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (CONANP) in Mexico, declared August 30th as the Whale Shark Day. Cancun recognizes and backs the efforts made by CONAMP in favor of the conservation of the whale shark as one of the privileged areas enjoying the presence of this fabulous creature.

The whale shark is the biggest fish in the world. It has a body that can reach sizes of even 18 meters. Its coloration is gray or dark blue on its back, with circular spots and light colored horizontal and vertical lines (white or yellowish) and a white belly. These patterns give the whale shark its local name: “domino.” In other areas, its appearance makes it known as “checkerboard”. Each individual displays a unique pattern which allows its identification, since it does not change with growth.
Unlike other sharks, its mouth is on the front end of its wide head and occupies the entire width of its body, facilitating plankton feeding. Its eyes are very small and are located on the lateral end of the head. The whale shark moves slowly near the water surface, since it filters great amounts of water to retain an ample variety of plankton and nekton, including small crustaceans like krill, crab larva and copepods, small fish like sardines, mackerel and occasionally prey of greater size like small tunas and squid. Phytoplankton and seaweeds could also be a part of its diet.

Source: Atlantic Whale Shark Project
http://www.conanp.gob.mx/tiburon_ballena.html

  “The Yucatan Peninsula is home to an astonishing number of ecosystems such as mangroves, lagoons, cenotes, coastal dunes, seagrass beds and the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System (the second largest barrier on the planet). All of this ecosystems contirbute to the region´s breathtaking beauty, wiht its dazzling abundance and diversity of life.

Mexico shelters an amazing variety of life, but sadly more than 1,200 of its species are listed and threatened or endangered. Many of these live in Yucatan Península, including sea turtles, manatees, ocellated turkeys and margays. This animals and their habitats are threatened  by unsustainable development,  pollution,  ilegal fishing/hunting and climate change.

The growht of tourism, accompained by a widespread lack of understanding about the region´s habitats, places pressure on the enironment….

 “ VISITORS TO THE MEXICAN CARIBBEAN HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO HELP….

1. Do not litter, trash can injure and kill animals that get entangled in it or choke on it.
2. Do not touch tourtles, coral or any wildlife.
3. Use biodegradable sunblock or preferably wear a t.shirt or rash guard.
4. In México, fishing is prohibited within 250 meters of bathing beaches.
5. Do not purchase (or sell) products made from coral, shells. turtles, seahorses, starfish or shark.
6. Conserve water and electricty
7. Do not throw any higienic products wast down the drain.
8. Avoid using dissponsalbe bags, containers and table wear made of styrofoam or plastic. …………………

When you travel ¿Do you do something to protect our planet?

 From The Green Guide. 2008. http://www.mexiconservacion.org