"WAH!" "WOW!" or silence between fear and amazement might be the reflex when meeting a Whale Shark. After all, sharks are too often connoted as the scary scourge of the sea because of their 'ferocity'.

But not all sharks are known to be ferocious. This one is friendly, very gentle with humans, and although it only eats plankton and shrimps and small fish, it is very large. Whale sharks are nicknamed gentle giants because they can grow up to 20 meters in length and weigh up to 21 tons. Despite its giant body, its heart is as soft as hello kitty really.

The fish, scientifically named Rhincodon typus, is an attraction for domestic and even foreign tourists. Indonesia is one of the migration routes of whale sharks. Therefore, this giant is often found in the waters of Sabang, West Kalimantan, Berau, Situbondo, Probolinggo, Bali, Nusa Tenggara, Alor, Flores, North Sulawesi, Maluku and Papua.

In the waters of Kwatisore, Cenderawasih Bay National Park, West Papua, whale sharks are present throughout the year. Kwatisore residents named it "Gurano Bintang" and this biota has become part of the family of Kwatisore residents. If you look closely, there are round patterns like small white circles or spots all over the body of this giant. So, it looks like a cluster of stars from afar.

There is no doubt that this whale shark is a star for tourists to come to Kwatisore. However, there are still many tourists who do not understand how to interact with whale sharks and sometimes disturb whale sharks. Well, to be able to interact with whale sharks, you need to pay attention to a few things below.

Tips for Interacting with Whale Sharks

1. Keep your distance. Give the whale shark 2m of space from its body and 3m from its tail when swimming together. Although whale sharks move slowly, there is a risk of being struck by their tails or large bodies.
2. Don't use diving gear or dive around whale sharks. Even if you do, make sure there are only two divers in a group. This is because whale sharks are easily distracted by air bubbles when diving.
3. Please queue. If you want to snorkel with whale sharks, rotate per group. There is a maximum of 6 people and one guide per group. So if you and your group want to go snorkeling, make a group many times, not just once!
4. Camera for selfie? Boleeeeh just turn off the flash! Flashes of light can disturb the whale sharks
5. .
6. When in the water, try to be as calm as possible.
7. Don't shout in the water or splash water like an Indian movie on the whale shark, it will disturb the whale shark.
8. This is the most important thing, do not grab and chase the whale shark. If approached, try to stay calm.
9. Remember, whale sharks are wildlife.

Whale Shark Conservation Efforts

Although this fish is gigantic, its size does not guarantee that the whale shark population is safe from poaching! The threat to whale sharks is very high because this fish is still widely hunted as a food and health product. On May 20, 2013, the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries of the Republic of Indonesia (KKP RI) issued a full protection status for whale sharks through the Decree of the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KepMen KP) No. 18 Year 2013. WWF-Indonesia has spent three years developing a population monitoring study as a conservation effort for whale sharks in Teluk Cendrawasih National Park.

Let's learn more about how to interact with the gentle giant here !

By: Ninish Fajrina - Marine Campaign and Social Media Assistant