Preliminary Monitoring of Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus) Migration Patterns in the Waters Botubarani Village Gorontalo Based on Satellite Marker Monitoring

Abstract

This research aims to determine the migration patterns of Whale Sharks using satellite markers in the waters of Botubarani Village, Bone Bolango Regency, Gorontalo Province. This research was conducted from April 2023 to December 2023 using satellite-based technology by installing satellite tagging (Finmount Tag) on two individual whale sharks that often appear at the research location with codes ID 53 and ID 55. Tagging was carried out using the containment method. using nets and boats. The results showed that the two individuals showed different migration patterns both spatially and temporally. The individual with ID code 53 was recorded as having migrated for 79 days and the individual with ID code 55 was recorded as having migrated for 54 days to return to Botubarani beach, Gorontalo. Based on monitoring results, the two of them have different migration patterns but are still in the Tomini Bay waters. The results of this research have contributed to knowledge about the behavior of Whale Sharks (Rhincodon typus) in the waters of Tomini Bay which can be useful as a basis for future management.