Marathon effort as first whale shark tagged on the GBR
RUN FOR THE REEF
The first whale shark has been tagged on the Great Barrier Reef and was made possible thanks to the funds raised through Run for the Reef.
When over 2,500 people competed in the GBR Marathon Festival last month they were also providing valuable research funds to help understand endangered marine life.
The November event contributed to the $100,000 now raised by Run for the Reef since 2013.
Last years Run for the Reef events enabled the purchase of the satellite tracker and is already providing valuable data on this animal featured on the UNISC World’s Endangered Species list.
JCU and Biopixel Oceans Foundation researcher Dr Adam Barnett said the information provided by the tracker will help scientists better understand the Reef’s ecosystem.
“This information will contribute to know more about the importance of the Great Barrier Reef to these species including what areas of the reef they use and how often,” he said.
“The tracker will also tell us where they go after they leave the reef. Ideally, we are trying to find hot spots for this animal so we can understand why these areas are so important to the lifecycle and habitat use of the species.”
In the first week of being tracked, the shark moved over 500 kilometres, information that is invaluable to those studying life on the reef.
“As scientists we feel this is just a teaser of the information to come,” Mr Barnett said.
“The tracker has a battery life of two years and we would be delighted with this duration of data.
“We are planning to tag more whale sharks to get a fuller picture of this endangered species. This is all possible thanks to our partnership with Run for the Reef.”
Run for the Great Barrier Reef Research Fund was established in 2014 in a partnership between the Tropical Journeys Great Barrier Reef Marathon Festival and James Cook University and raises funds for mega mouth research.
In 2017 GBR Marathon organisers expanded the Run for the Reef program with the assistance of Federal Government funding holding events held in Cairns, Townsville and Mackay.
Mega Mouth represent the giants of the ocean - the Manta Ray (Manta) and the largest of all the fish species, the Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus).
Marathon and Run for the Reef event organiser Bruno Bennett said the fund is a way for everyone to do their bit to help raise awareness and money for the Great Barrier Reef.
“We found a way to use this event to support the reef and give back a little to our region,” Mr Bennett said.
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