Project Report
| Jun 23, 2026
The Constellation of the Mexican Caribbean
![21 Years of Learning, One Book to Share]()
21 Years of Learning, One Book to Share
Hello everyone!
We are excited to share with you that after 21 years of research, community work, and conservation efforts, we officially presented our book, Whale Shark: The Constellation of the Mexican Caribbean, in April 2026.
For years, we collected field notes, photographs, scientific publications, monitoring records, and countless hours of observations of these gentle giants. Over time, we dreamed of bringing all that knowledge together into a resource that could serve local communities, tour guides, students, and anyone interested in learning about and protecting whale sharks. Today, that dream has become a reality.
This publication is the first book in Spanish dedicated entirely to whale sharks. It brings together information about their biology, fascinating facts about their behavior, and some of the most recent discoveries from around the world. More importantly, it represents more than two decades of work carried out alongside local communities, tourism operators, authorities, students, researchers, funders, and allies who have believed in the importance of conserving this iconic species of the Mexican Caribbean.
Originally, we envisioned the book as a practical tool for guides and captains working with whale sharks, helping them share reliable information with visitors and promote environmentally responsible tourism. However, it became much more than that. We believe anyone who loves the ocean, wildlife, or conservation stories will find inspiration in its pages.
None of this would have been possible without you. Your support has not only helped us share 21 years of knowledge through this book, but it has also allowed us to continue strengthening local capacity for whale shark conservation and sustainable tourism. In the last few months, we conducted two training workshops, providing 34 hours of theoretical and practical instruction to 37 young people who aspire to become whale shark guides. In addition, we trained 17 community members—including teachers, entrepreneurs, students, hotel staff, and local guides—in monitoring techniques and citizen science, because conservation begins in local communities.
But why is the book called “The Constellation of the Mexican Caribbean”?
The spots covering a whale shark’s skin form unique patterns that resemble the constellations we see in the night sky. These patterns allow scientists to identify each individual whale shark, as if every animal carried its own signature among the stars. For us, however, the meaning goes even further. This book is also a constellation. Every scientific discovery, every photograph, every guide, captain, student, researcher, donor, and community member represents a small light that, when joined with others, helps illuminate the path toward conservation.
Twenty-one years ago, we began this journey with the desire to better understand these giants of the sea. Today, thanks to you, that knowledge has become a tool for educating, inspiring, and protecting the gentle whale sharks.
Thank you for being part of this constellation.
![Captains boats, allies in localities]()
Captains boats, allies in localities
![Share knowledge is also conservation]()
Share knowledge is also conservation
!["Teaching is learning twice"]()
"Teaching is learning twice"
![Whale shark conservation is everyone's task]()
Whale shark conservation is everyone's task
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