ANNA MARIA, FL (WWSB) - A Bradenton fishing captain encountered multiple whale sharks Thursday off the coast of Anna Maria Island.
Captain Barry Moss of Bradenton, was about 20 miles off the coast when he spotted three to four whale sharks swimming near his boat. Video captured from the encounter shows one of the animals come directly to the vessel before swimming off in the other direction.
Whale sharks are the world's largest fish and scientists at Mote Marine say their visits to waters around the Suncoast are far and few between, but this marks the second sighting in two weeks.
Jake Campoamor and his family spotted whale sharks off Anna Maria on Jun. 2.
After the first sighting, ABC7 spoke with Dr. Bob Hueter, the senior scientist at Mote Marine who reaffirmed that these sightings are rare.
"I've been at Mote since 1988, and I think I've seen whale sharks off our coast three times," Dr. Hueter said.
Because of the rare nature of these sightings, Mote Marine is hoping to tag the sharks and study them further. Anyone who spots one of these whale sharks is asked to call Mote at 941-302-0976 and report the encounter.
Captain Moss said he reached out to Mote but has been unable to speak to anyone.
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