Gulf Restoration Network

VIDEO: BP's Disaster Threatens "an Ocean Full of Whale Sharks" Blog - BPs Oil Drilling Disaster in the Gulf of Mexico Wednesday, 14 July 2010 14:32

Whale sharks are the biggest fish in the Gulf of Mexico, and now a group of scientists is using satellite technology to track whether any of the giants come into contact with oil from BP's drilling disaster.

This video shows the scientists, including Eric Hoffmayer of the University of Southern Mississippi and legendary oceanographer Sylvia Earle of Mission Blue, affixing tracking devices on whale sharks in the Gulf last month.

You can see for yourself on the project's website where the whale sharks tagged by the group are traveling in the Gulf. Earl explains that because of the way the sharks feed - by skimming water at the surface - they could be particularly vulnerable to the effects of BP's oil. In late June, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) researchers observed three whale sharks swimming offshore in an area fouled by BP's crude.

Over 600 sea turtles, 60 dolphins and one sperm whale have been collected in the BP impact zone so far.

Matthew Preusch is a volunteer with the Gulf Restoration Network.