Face to face with a whale shark at Roca Partida.

Sarosh Jacob

A free diver champion diving side by side with a whale shark in Isla Mujeres, Mexico.

Christian Vizl

Taken in the Maldives sea at night to see the back of a whale shark that has been injured by propellers. Below the projection lamp lighting, the shark has a very distinct mark.

Howard Chen

Whale sharks feeding on plankton at night. Shot taken while snorkelling at night in the Gulf of Tadjoura, Djibouti.

Michael Gallagher

Whale sharks are a favorite among divers and yet few realize their populations around the world remain vulnerable to commercial threats such as commercial fishing. These giants are known to migrate long distances and information is still being gathered about those routes. Researchers are just now piecing together where they come from and where they go. Until we are aware of the routes they follow, they will remain vulnerable to fisheries around the world.

David Valencia

Snorkelers chase a whale shark in the waters of Ari Atoll, Maldives.

Dmitry Starostenkov

Scientist are not sure why whale sharks have these patterns of spots and stripes on their skin. Each shark's spots are unique like a fingerprint, so scientist ID and track them by collecting pictures from sightings around the world in a database. Nature seems to have a reason for everything. Perhaps the spots are just to make them more beautiful?

Sarosh Jacob

As I photographed one huge whale shark, I turned to find another closing in fast! I got one shot before diving out of the way.

Rick Mowbray

Whale sharks have a big mouth, which they open to eat shrimp at every opportunity.

Chia Chi Chang

In the Maldives night, an adult whale shark swims through the stern. Shot through lower projection lamp lights at night.

Howard Chen