Dive Operator Funds Whale Shark Research With $31,500 Donation and New Naming Initiative

A conservation-focused dive operator in the Galápagos has announced a new round of funding for whale shark science, alongside a campaign designed to give divers a more direct connection to marine research.

According to a report in EIN Presswire, Galapagos Shark Diving contributed more than USD 31,500 during 2025 to conservation initiatives supporting whale shark research and ocean education. The announcement also introduced a “Name a Whale Shark 2025” initiative aimed at divers who participate in citizen-science expeditions.

Funding Research Through Dive Tourism

The company’s model links dive travel directly to conservation funding, with trips contributing to ongoing scientific work carried out by the Galapagos Whale Shark Project. The programme focuses on tracking movements, studying behaviour, and improving protection strategies for one of the ocean’s most elusive species.

Research teams working in the region have used satellite tagging and long-term monitoring to better understand migration routes and habitat use, with data helping inform future conservation decisions and marine-protected-area planning, as explained by the Galapagos Conservation Trust’s overview of the Galapagos Whale Shark Project.

Whale sharks, classified as endangered, remain poorly understood despite decades of study. Scientists continue to investigate why large numbers of adult females gather in Galápagos waters and how their deep-water behaviour connects ecosystems across the eastern Pacific.

Citizen Science at the Centre

The new naming initiative highlights the growing role divers play in marine research. Participants who join the operator’s citizen-science expeditions contribute directly to fieldwork, from data collection to funding satellite tags and research logistics.

Projects linked to the Galapagos Whale Shark Project have previously documented tagging expeditions and behavioural studies, including the use of tracking technology to map vertical and horizontal movements of individual sharks, as described in updates shared by Galapagos Science Center.

By allowing divers to submit names for newly identified whale sharks, the campaign aims to strengthen the emotional connection between travellers and conservation outcomes. Similar initiatives have appeared in past years, where funds raised through diving experiences supported equipment, research vessel time, and long-term monitoring programmes.

A Growing Trend in Conservation-Led Travel

The announcement reflects a broader shift within the dive industry toward experiences that blend adventure with scientific impact. Citizen-science trips have become increasingly popular, offering divers a chance to contribute to real-world research rather than simply observe marine life.

For operators, these programmes also represent a way to demonstrate measurable conservation outcomes. Since 2019, contributions linked to the initiative have reportedly surpassed six figures, reinforcing a model where tourism revenue directly supports ongoing marine science.

While naming campaigns and conservation donations are not new in the diving world, the scale and structure of this latest initiative underline how strongly some operators are leaning into research partnerships. As divers look for more meaningful travel experiences, the intersection of exploration, education, and conservation continues to reshape how dive tourism is marketed and delivered.