Is the whale shark dangerous to humans?

No. Despite its enormous size, it is a filter feeder that eats plankton, krill, and small fish, posing no threat to swimmers or divers.

How long do whale sharks live?

They are estimated to mature around age 30 and can live 60-70 years, with some researchers suggesting a maximum lifespan of up to 150 years.

Why are whale sharks endangered?

Global numbers have declined by roughly 50% over the past 75 years, driven mainly by targeted fishing, bycatch, and vessel strikes, leading to an Endangered IUCN listing.

Whale Sharkジンベエザメ

Rhincodon typusEN— Endangered

The whale shark is the world's largest fish, a gentle filter-feeding giant that migrates through tropical and warm-temperate seas worldwide, drawing divers and, unfortunately, fishing pressure that has driven steep population declines.

Whale Shark (reference photo) — Photo: User:Zac Wolf (original), en:User:Stefan (cropping) / CC BY-SA 2.5 / Source / cropped

Species Data

Classification: Orectolobiformes / Rhincodontidae Source
Distribution: Migrates through tropical, subtropical, and warm temperate surface waters worldwide within about 30 degrees of the equator; in Japanese waters it appears from early summer through autumn. Source

Did You Know?

Schools of sardines, tuna, and other fish often gather around whale sharks, which is why fishing communities in Japan have long regarded their presence as a sign of a good catch. Source
Whale sharks spend about 95% of their time in the sunlit zone shallower than 200 m, but regularly dive below 500 m during the day into evening. Source

Where to See This Species

5 facilities · 0 individuals

沖縄美ら海水族館 (Okinawachuraumi Suizokukan)OkinawaOpened in 2002

雄「ジンタ」を1995年から飼育。2025年3月に飼育30年を迎え、同種の世界最長飼育記録を更新中。 Source

Osaka Aquarium KaiyukanOsakaOpened in 1990

「太平洋」水槽で雌「遊」・雄「海」など複数個体を飼育・展示。 Source

アクアワールド茨城県大洗水族館 (Akua World Ibarakikenooarai Suizokukan)Ibaraki所在地: 茨城県東茨城郡大洗町磯浜町8252-3。

アクアワールド茨城県大洗水族館のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

かごしま水族館 (Kagoshima Suizokukan)Kagoshima鹿児島中央駅から市電（2系統）「水族館口」下車、徒歩8分。

かごしま水族館のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

のとじま臨海公園水族館 (Notojimarinkai Kouen Suizokukan)Ishikawa最寄り駅は和倉温泉駅。

のとじま臨海公園水族館のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

Conservation Story

Conservation Status

IUCN Red Listで2016年にVulnerableからEndangered（絶滅危惧IB類相当）へ引き上げられた。過去75年で世界的に個体数が約50%減少したと推定され、インド太平洋では約63%減、大西洋では30%超の減少とされる。

Habitat

熱帯・亜熱帯・温帯の外洋表層海域を広く回遊する。

Threats

延縄・刺し網などによる混獲
フカヒレ・皮・油などを目的とした直接漁獲（かつて中国などで年間数百頭規模）
船舶との衝突

Conservation & Breeding Efforts

2003年よりワシントン条約（CITES）附属書IIに掲載され国際取引が規制されている
ボン条約（移動性野生動物種の保全に関する条約）の下、サメ類保全に関する覚書の対象種に指定されている
フィリピン（1998年）、インド（2001年）、台湾（2007年）などが商業的な捕獲・売買・輸出入を禁止した
フィリピンではスノーケラーに1.2m以上の距離を義務付けるなど、ホエールシャーク・ウォッチングの行動規制が導入されている

Sources

ja.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org

Support Conservation

A visit is a small, positive way to support the daily lives of the animals you care about.

Visit: A visit itself helps support the facility.
Animal Supporter Programs & Giving: Find ways to support the facility through its official website.
Furusato Nozei: Municipally run facilities may share official guidance for this Japanese hometown-tax program.

FAQ

Is the whale shark dangerous to humans?: No. Despite its enormous size, it is a filter feeder that eats plankton, krill, and small fish, posing no threat to swimmers or divers. Source
How long do whale sharks live?: They are estimated to mature around age 30 and can live 60-70 years, with some researchers suggesting a maximum lifespan of up to 150 years. Source
Why are whale sharks endangered?: Global numbers have declined by roughly 50% over the past 75 years, driven mainly by targeted fishing, bycatch, and vessel strikes, leading to an Endangered IUCN listing. Source

Source: churaumi.okinawa churaumi.okinawa www.kaiyukan.com www.kaiyukan.com iucn.org