Two endangered whale sharks were observed near the Hudson Canyon, approximately 100 miles south of New York City, in a rare sighting by American Princess Cruises. The encounter occurred just one day after International Whale Shark Day.
Chris St. Lawrence, a naturalist with American Princess Cruises and a researcher with Gotham Whale, captured video of the event. He described the sighting as "nuts," noting that the whale sharks swam very close to the vessel in clear blue water. The sharks, which are the largest known fish species, were seen investigating the boat's port side.
The Hudson Canyon, a deep underwater geological formation stretching 250 miles off the coast, is known for its diverse ecosystem, but sightings of whale sharks from a boat are uncommon. These animals spend most of their lives submerged, making them difficult to observe.
St. Lawrence theorized that warmer waters from the Gulf Stream might have influenced the sharks' presence in the area, though he noted that much remains unknown about whale shark behavior and migration patterns. The trip also yielded sightings of other rare species, including whitetail tropic birds, a juvenile Sabine's Gull, a leatherback sea turtle, and a humpback whale with its calf.
Whale sharks were listed as endangered in 2016 by the International Union for Conservation of Nature due to threats such as vessel strikes, bycatch, and climate change. Researchers estimate that fewer than 200,000 whale sharks remain globally, and their population is only a third of the way toward full recovery.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is currently considering the Hudson Canyon for designation as a National Marine Sanctuary. Such a designation aims to enhance protections for the marine life inhabiting the area, including whale sharks.