Whale sharks can regrow part-amputated fins, scientists discover

WHALE sharks can recover from serious injuries at an “extraordinary rate” and even regrow partially removed dorsal fins, a new study has found.

The research, published in the journal Conservation Physiology, shows that the world’s largest fish can recover from lacerations and abrasions, often caused by collisions with boats, in a matter of weeks.

Lead author Freya Womersley, a PHD student with the University of

Southampton based at the Marine Biological Association, UK, said that the endangered whale shark, which can reach lengths of 18 metres, faces increased contact with boats as the wildlife tourism sector increases.

She explained the research used the sea creature’s unique spot markings to monitor through photographs the speed of healing from injury.

She said: “By using our new method, we were able to determine that these sharks can heal from very serious injuries in timeframes of weeks and months. This means that we now have a better understanding of injury and healing dynamics, which can be very important for conservation management.”

The study also highlighted whale sharks’ capability to regrow a partially amputated first dorsal fin, which, to the authors’ knowledge, is the first time a shark has ever been scientifically reported exhibiting this phenomenon.

Recent research has shown that 71 per cent of pelagic sharks have declined over the past 50 years and pointed at the need to enforce stricter protections.

Ms Womersley said: “There is still a long way to go in understanding healing in whale sharks, and in shark species in general, but our team hope that studies such as this can provide crucial evidence for management decision makers that can be used to safeguard the future of whale sharks.”