On a recent expedition to Indonesia’s Cendrawasih Bay, Conservation International’s Mark Erdmann learned how whale sharks often congregate around bagan (lift net) fishing platforms to eat the small silverside baitfish that the fishers are targeting. The sharks have also learned how to “suck” the fish out of holes in the nets!
This can be dangerous — but the local fishers like the sharks, considering them good luck, and are working to modify the net designs to prevent sharks from entering.
