Watch: Teen Hitches Ride on Whale Shark

Check out the video at the bottom of this post.

A teenage boy out cobia fishing in the Destin area over the weekend had a chance encounter that’s making headlines.

It seems while the teen and friends were casting lines, they came across a massive whale shark. Knowing the giant creatures are reputed to have a docile nature, the teens jumped into the water to swim with the beast. Cody Garland even managed to hitch a ride, which was subsequently filmed by friends, WEAR reported.

“I like whale sharks,” the teen explained to the station, noting that he and his friends did stay away from its mouth.

Whale sharks are not an uncommon sight in Florida’s warmer waters. Considered one of the largest fish in the sea, according to National Geographic, the creatures can grow up to 40 feet in length. While they can have their pick of meals, they tend to prefer plankton.

“Although massive, whale sharks are docile fish and sometimes allow swimmers to hitch a ride,” the Geographic pointed out.

Hitching a ride, however, isn’t the best idea, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says. While not illegal, it’s not advised.

See Also:

• Watch: Spring Breaker ‘Attacked’ by Manatee
• Florida Man Punches Shark to Stop Attack

“There are different laws (federal and state) related to how people can interact with different wildlife, depending on the species,” said FWC spokeswoman Katie Purcell. “There are strict laws for threatened and endangered species, but it’s never a good idea to harass or molest any wildlife.”

Manatees, for example, are protected under the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 and the Endangered Species Act of 1973, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reports on its website. Those acts make it illegal to “harass, hunt, capture or kill any marine mammal.” Florida’s own Manatee Sanctuary Act of 1978 makes it “unlawful for any person, at any time, intentionally or negligently, to annoy, molest, harass or disturb any manatee.”

Violation of Florida’s law comes with a fine up to $500 and 60 days of jail time. A violation of the federal laws can carry up to a $50,000 fine and/or a year in prison.

For more information about whale sharks, visit the National Geographic online.

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