Whale Sharks (Rhincodon typus) in Botubarani Ecotourism Development Zone: Presence, Oceanographic, and Geomorphic Bathymetry Characters

Unlike whale shark appearances in other locations worldwide, which typically occur far from land, their presence near the mainland in Botubarani is a unique phenomenon. Therefore, collecting and analyzing the factors that determine the presence of whale sharks in Botubarani waters is essential. This research identified patterns in whale shark appearances within the Ecotourism Development Zone and examined their relationship with oceanographic parameters and geomorphic-bathymetric characteristics in Botubarani. Appearance data from 2016 to 2021 were collected from published scientific articles and further validated through structured interviews with the local community. Oceanographic data were analyzed to understand the local whale shark habitat from a 3D geomorphic bathymetric perspective, and to determine the relationship between sea surface temperature (SST) and surface chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) concentrations with whale shark appearances. A steeper deep cleft is strongly associated with whale shark presence near the coastline, where unique seafloor features and sheltered reef and coral/algae habitats are found. The analysis showed that Chl-a concentration is a stronger determinant of whale shark appearances than SST. This research highlights the importance of predicting whale shark occurrences in Botubarani waters to support conservation strategies and offers insights into the environmental factors influencing their presence, aiding efforts to protect this endangered species.