The sharks are the largest fish in the world

Their project will focus on whale sharks that live in the Caribbean waters off the coast of Belize.

The huge creatures, the largest species of fish in the world, appear at Gladden Spit on the south coast of the country every Spring to feed on the spawn of snapper fish.

But little is actually known about where the sharks come from, or where they go to after their visit to Belize.

And it is feared the tourist industry that has developed around the sharks might be changing their predictable annual appearance.

The University of York team has developed tags with satellite tracking ability to find out more about their migration patterns.

Docile feeders

Rachel Graham, a research fellow on the team, told BBC North Yorkshire they also wanted to see "what kind of food they are feeding on".

And since undertaking the study, the group has made some new discoveries.

"They dive up to 1,000 metres deep, like sperm whales, and move hundreds of kilometres between food sources," added Ms Graham.

But she said they had nothing to fear from the colossal creatures while they studied them.

"Whale sharks feed on plankton. They are very docile sharks, feeding on something smaller than your finger."

The university's study was showcased at the fifth annual Darwin Lecture and Exhibition on Wednesday.