Shark Gordon is aboard a spotter plane above Ningaloo Reef, off the West Coast of Australia, where some of the largest animals on earth are about to hold their annual meeting. Whale sharks, among the gentle giants of the sea, congregate at Ningaloo every April and May, but exactly where they come from, and where they go after they leave remains a mystery to scientists. Ian is here to help Dr John Stevens from Australia’s CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation), who is trying to track these huge creatures with limited success. The tethered transmitters he has been using so far have been detaching from the sharks. Ian thinks he can attach a plate to the shark’s fin that will keep the transmitter closer to the animal and upload data to a satellite whenever it comes to the surface. He goes through the plan with John and Peter Lake, a whale shark tour operator and one of the world’s most experienced whale shark divers. It’s been five years since Ian has swum with a whale shark and, even after 20 years’ experience with sharks, tagging one of these will be his biggest job yet. They have just two weeks to find the right sized shark and attach the tag before the sharks pass a particular patch of reef. Ian explains the natural wonder that attracts these huge animals to the reef. The coral is made up of tiny individual animals. Once every year around this time they all spawn together on a massive scale, stimulated by the tide and light from the full moon. Hundreds of whale sharks descend on Ningaloo to indulge in this ultra fine feast. Despite its huge mouth the whale shark is a forced filter feeder and Ian reassures us it’s not going to bite anyone. However, if the animal is disturbed, an accidental stroke from its powerful tail could inflict serious harm. Before tagging begins the spotter plane directs the researchers to a magical slow circle dance being performed by the sharks. A 30-foot (9.2 metre) male shark, with a previous tagging history, is targeted to wear the $5000 tag. The hole in his fin tells them he is “Sharkbite”, one of the first whale sharks to be identified here in 1984. Things take a turn for the worse when Sharkbite manages to dislodge his tag and winds of over 30 knots plague the mission for several days. With just one day remaining a new tag arrives on board and Ian and Peter prepare for their last chance — fitting the bolt using a compressed air drill. After an exhausting chase the mission is accomplished. But it could take years of transmissions and study to determine the true movements of the whale shark.

Shark Gordon is aboard a spotter plane above Ningaloo Reef, off the West Coast ...