Whale Sharks need wider protection against over-fishing
Whale sharks, the world's largest fish, are imperiled by over-fishing in parts of its ocean range. New research shows little genetic variation across widely separated tropical oceans, underscoring the need for wider protection against over-fishing. "Our data show that whale sharks found in different oceans are genetically quite similar, which means that animals move and interbreed between populations," said Schmidt, one of the researchers. "From a conservation standpoint, it means that whale sharks in protected waters cannot be assumed to stay in those waters, but may move into areas where they may be in danger."