Video: 7 metre-long whale shark spotted in UAE waters, residents warned

Dubai - People visiting the area have also been advised to keep a safe distance from the whale shark.

Ismail Sebugwaawo

Published: Mon 9 Nov 2020, 2:24 PM

Last updated: Mon 9 Nov 2020, 8:04 PM

Authorities have warned residents against swimming and fishing in the Bahia channel in Abu Dhabi after a 7-metre whale shark was spotted on Sunday.

The Environment Agency Abu Dhabi (EAD) also cautioned the public against feeding the male whale or going near it as it is an endangered species.

“Our juvenile whale shark has returned to Al Raha after last being seen there one week ago. Over the six weeks we have been monitoring him, we noticed that he had lost some weight. So through our MOU (memorandum of understanding) with the National Aquarium on environmental cooperation and wildlife protection, we are supplementing his diet with some krill until he returns to the sea,” an official from the EAD said.

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. عاد قرش الحوت الصغير مياه منطقة الراحة بعد أن شوهد آخر مرة الأسبوع الماضي. على مدار الأسابيع الستة التي كنا نراقبه، لاحظنا فقدانه لبعض الوزن، فبادرنا بإكمال نظامه الغذائي من خلال توفير بعض القشريات الصغيرة حتى عودته للبحر و ذالك بالتعاون مع "ذا ناشونال أكواريوم" تفعيلاً لمذكرة التفاهم في مجال إنقاذ وإعادة تأهيل الأنواع البحرية. نراقب حالياً قرش حوت أخر في منطقة الباهية، وهو ذكر كبير يبلغ طوله حوالي 7 أمتار. و نرجوا من الافراد الامتناع عن السباحة أو الغوص أو إطعامهم أو الاقتراب منهم. كم نرجو من مرتادي البحر والوسائل البحرية المركبات تفادي قناة الباهية والقيادة بحذر. كما نود أن نشكر شركائنا في جهاز حماية المنشآت الحيوية والسواحل دائرة البلديات والنقل وبلدية مدينة أبوظبي وشركة الدار العقارية وموانئ أبوظبي وأبوظبي البحرية ونادي أبوظبي الدولي للرياضات البحرية لجهودهم وتعاونهم مع الهيئة #هيئة_البيئة Our juvenile whale shark has returned to Al Raha after last being seen there one week ago. Over the six weeks we have been monitoring him we noticed that he had lost some weight so through our MOU with the National Aquarium on environmental cooperation and wildlife protection we are supplementing his diet with some krill until he returns to sea. We are also monitoring a second whale shark, a large 7m male in Al Bahia. If you are lucky enough to see them please refrain from swimming with them, diving with them, feeding them or approaching them. And a big thank you to our partners supporting with this endangered species protection: Critical Infrastructure and Coastal Protection Authority, Department of Municipalities and Transport, Abu Dhabi Municipality, Abu Dhabi Ports, Abu Dhabi Maritime, Abu Dhabi Marine, Aldar and the National Aquarium Abu Dhabi. #EnvironmentAbuDhabi #environmentagency

A post shared by Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (@environmentabudhabi) on Nov 6, 2020 at 11:47pm PST

“We are also monitoring a second whale shark, a large 7-metre male in Al Bahia. If you are lucky enough to see them, please refrain from swimming or diving with them. Refrain from feeding them or approaching them as well.”

People visiting the area have also been advised to keep a safe distance from the whale shark.

Whale sharks often appear in Abu Dhabi waters. In September, the EAD reported that two whale sharks were spotted in Al Raha Canal.

ismail@khaleejtimes.com