The fish are placid filter-feeders (Image: Rachel T Graham)
WORLD'S BIGGEST FISH 'SHRINKING'
Whale sharks spotted off the coast of Australia are getting smaller, researchers have said.
In a decade the average size recorded by observers has shrunk from 7m to 5m.
Whale sharks, the world's largest fish, are caught for food in some east Asian countries and Australian researchers suspect this is causing a decline.
The fish is listed as "vulnerable", and one of the authors of the new study has described the new finding as "a very worrying sign".
The data comes from ecotourism companies which run expeditions to watch whale sharks and swim with them in Ningaloo Marine Park off the north-west coast.
"The eco-tourism industry logs the position and size and sex of every shark it swims with," said Mark Meekan, of the Australian Institute of Marine Science (Aims).
"We have obtained those datasets and analysed them over time," he told the BBC News website, "and essentially what we have seen in the last decade is a decline in average size of shark from 7m to 5m.
photo & story courtesy news.bbc.com, 01/30/06
Remembering Israel's Journey
1This is the itinerary the Israelites followed as they marched out of Egypt under the leadership of Moses and Aaron. 2At the LORD's direction, Moses kept a written record of their progress. These are the stages of their march, identified by the different places they stopped along the way.
Yesterday, we looked at the world's smallest fish. Today, the biggest. But the biggest is getting smaller. Researchers know this because they keep records. This got me wondering about my own spiritual growth or lack of. (That's bad grammar, but you get the point!)
Once again, God's Word has practical insight on just about every topic, including the importance of checking our spiritual maturity (or lack of). Look at the lesson to be learned from Moses and the Israelites in today's OT scripture passage:
33:2 Moses recorded the Israelites' journeys as God instructed him, providing a record of their spiritual as well as geographic progress. Have you made spiritual progress lately? Recording your thoughts about God and lessons you have learned over a period of time can be a valuable aid to spiritual growth. A record of your spiritual pilgrimage will let you check up on your progress and avoid repeating past mistakes.*
*study notes courtesy Tyndale's LIFE APPLICATION STUDY BIBLE
We read in the opening story that the researchers describe the shrinking fish as being "vulnerable". In this prayer time, get vulnerable with Jesus. Admit to Him your spiritual "shrinking". Renew your desire to grow in spiritual maturity and admit your need to totally depend on Jesus. Thank Him. He will grow you.
- Take several minutes to reflect on this question: HAVE I GROWN OR SHRUNK SPIRITUALLY IN THE PAST THREE MONTHS? WHY? HOW?
- If you aren't keeping a written journal, try it for at least two weeks. One month would be ideal, because new habits can be formed in thirty days. Here's a sample of what to write down: (1) Something that God taught me today... (2) I will apply it in my life with Jesus by... (3) Prayer requests... (4) Prayers answered...
- Remember that keeping track of your life with Jesus will be huge in being able to share YOUR STORY with someone as you learn THEIR STORY and look for the opportunity to tell them GOD'S STORY.
Daily Devos is published Monday through Friday. Archives can be found at YFC.ORG. Its purpose is to help you apply truths from God's Word every day.
Our writer, Byron Emmert, has been involved with Youth For Christ for 30 years. He's served as Campus Life Staff, as a writer, and in leadership for the DCLA Conferences. Byron is married to Linda and their family includes two married sons and daughters-in-law, and a daughter in college. He loves sports, deep dish pizza, and spending time with his family.