As many know already the main attraction and star of the show here on Malapascua is the Thresher shark. (sorry Hairy Frogfish, Harlequin Shrimp, Manta Ray . . . ) The species of thresher shark we have here is the Pelagic Thresher shark (Alopias pelagicus).
If you get up at 430am to go diving its hard to know which way to put your mask on never mind identifying specific individual sharks at Mona Shoal.
However its quite easy to determine if the shark is a male or female – just have a look at the underside and you will easily see the difference!
Another thing to look for are the distinctive markings on the sharks. These can be either birthmarks or birth defects, but also scars from injuries from fishing lines or hooks.
Evolution has now started a small “identification” project, trying to name and create a list of sharks commonly seen on Monad Shoal and we are trying to “log” who we see and when we see them. To make it easy we will try to have a name list also.
Evolution has trialled this in the last month and we have managed to get photos of four “special” sharks. We are hoping in the future and with some help from former customers to create a longer list of individuals and if you are first to spot and photo a shark it can be yours to name!
This is where we can use YOUR help!! Anyone that has a picture of a Thresher shark at Monad Shoal that would like to submit it to the database please email a copy to info@evolution.com.ph
The following pictures are of our first four unique sharks!
This female has a spot on her left pectoral fin and had at this time a fishing hook in her mouth.
A female with a “bent” pectoral fin
Massive Pregnant female with black markings on her left side
A big male with a “bent” dorsal fin
Hopefully in a few weeks we will have a list of sharks posted in the dive centre here at Evolution so that customers diving at Monad can try to find either “curly” or “spotty” on their next awesome shark dive!
For more info contact info@evolution.com.ph
