Ensemble modelling of the potential distribution of the whale shark in the Atlantic Ocean

This dataset reports observations of whale shark (Rhincodon typus) in the tropical and subtropical Atlantic Ocean. Data were obtained by the Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO) observers program, and were rescaled to the resolution of the Bio-ORACLE 2.0 variables, against which they were modelled along with presences from additional online sources. Our data include both presence and surveyed absence records – i.e., places where observers were active and did not detect whale sharks – within 5 arc-minute pixels spanning the surveyed area.