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127180
Thu, 06/10/2010 - 15:18
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https://www.oananews.org//node/127180
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Whale shark makes short stopover in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi, June 10, 2010 (WAM)- A young member of the ocean's largest fish species made yet another special appearance in the capital, attracting admirers who wanted to swim beside it according to a report in "Gulf News."
The whale shark — which is an endangered species — was spotted on Sunday by marine scientists at the Abu Dhabi Environment Agency inside Al Bateen harbour.
The five-metre whale shark had entered the harbour while roaming in the coastal waters for food, the environment agency said.
Abu Dhabi's coastal waters are known as a hosting habitat for the whale sharks because it is rich in the microscopic plants and animals — scientifically known as phytoplanktons and zooplanktons — that are the giant, harmless fish's main food source.
After sheltering in the harbour for three days, the shark swam away yesterday, the agency's biodiversity management sector director Thabit Al Abdul Salam said.
Al Abdul Salam's team has been monitoring the fish. "For the time being the whale shark has left the area," he said. "But from past experience, we know, it is most likely to return and be here for some more time."
The last whale shark spotted here was 3.4m long, and it was near Emirates Palace last year, he said.
The agency had checked on the health of this most recent whale shark visitor in Abu Dhabi, he said."Usually there are two or three visits recorded every year but this time it is a bit early," he said. "Generally they are seen during autumn months."
Al Abdul Salam said although the fish knew its way in and out of the harbour, the high number of boats in the harbour meant it could become stranded. "In such cases we guide the fish to the open sea," he said.
Al Abdul Salam urged residents next time they saw a whale shark, to not disturb it. The fish were highly sensitive, especially to noise. "People love it and they want to swim alongside it. But we advise them not to."
Whale sharks in the area were likely to be juveniles as the Arabian Gulf was their nursery ground. – Gulf News
The whale shark — which is an endangered species — was spotted on Sunday by marine scientists at the Abu Dhabi Environment Agency inside Al Bateen harbour.
The five-metre whale shark had entered the harbour while roaming in the coastal waters for food, the environment agency said.
Abu Dhabi's coastal waters are known as a hosting habitat for the whale sharks because it is rich in the microscopic plants and animals — scientifically known as phytoplanktons and zooplanktons — that are the giant, harmless fish's main food source.
After sheltering in the harbour for three days, the shark swam away yesterday, the agency's biodiversity management sector director Thabit Al Abdul Salam said.
Al Abdul Salam's team has been monitoring the fish. "For the time being the whale shark has left the area," he said. "But from past experience, we know, it is most likely to return and be here for some more time."
The last whale shark spotted here was 3.4m long, and it was near Emirates Palace last year, he said.
The agency had checked on the health of this most recent whale shark visitor in Abu Dhabi, he said."Usually there are two or three visits recorded every year but this time it is a bit early," he said. "Generally they are seen during autumn months."
Al Abdul Salam said although the fish knew its way in and out of the harbour, the high number of boats in the harbour meant it could become stranded. "In such cases we guide the fish to the open sea," he said.
Al Abdul Salam urged residents next time they saw a whale shark, to not disturb it. The fish were highly sensitive, especially to noise. "People love it and they want to swim alongside it. But we advise them not to."
Whale sharks in the area were likely to be juveniles as the Arabian Gulf was their nursery ground. – Gulf News
