The Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus) is one of the three species of Sharks that feed through a water filtration mechanism, along with the Basking shark (Cetorhinus maximus) and the Boquiancho shark (Mega Mouth Shark), which holds a wide variety of plankton and nekton, including small crustaceans like krill, crab and algae, small fish like sardines, anchovies, mackerel and occasionally larger prey like small tuna and squid.

Whale Sharks are endangered species protected by the Mexican bill NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2001 which is based on global Wildlife preservation regulations. Mexican Government is highly concerned with preservation efforts and has created the National Comission for for the Protection of Nature Reserves (CONAMP) which enforces the regulation of Whale Shark encounters.