Al Raha residents spot unusual visitor in the waters

Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi dispels concerns of residents who sighted a baby whale shark off Al Raha area of Abu Dhabi.

Although it may look dangerous the whale shark would not harm a human, says Ead. Delores Johnson / The National

ABU DHABI // Residents swimming off Al Raha beach have been assured that the baby whale shark seen joining them for a dip is completely harmless.

According to the residents, the whale shark has swimming up and down the channel at Amwaj in Al Raha area.

The Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi (EAD) said: “As planktivorous fish, whale sharks are considered harmless to humans and usually enter marinas or shallow waters for several days at a time, possibly to feed, before continuing on their migration route.”

Ten days ago a number of residents in Al Raha area spotted the baby shark and were worried whether it was safe to go swimming.

The agency said: “Whale sharks are found in tropical and warm temperate seas around the world.

“The Arabian Gulf is rich in nutrients with frequent phytoplankton and zooplankton blooms, which are the main food source for the whale sharks and therefore are likely to be attracting them to this area.

“Over the past decade, many whale shark sightings have been reported in Abu Dhabi between the months of June and October, including in Port Zayed, Al Dhabiya, Ghantoot, Emirates Palace Beach and Al Bateen Harbour. Furthermore, they are frequently sighted in all the other emirates.”

However, as precautionary measure, the agency urged residents who wished to swim with the shark not to do so.

“While many residents might choose to swim with these animals, we recommend that they refrain from doing so. If they see a whale shark while in the water, swimmers are urged to keep a safe distance from them [at least four metres] so as not to disturb them,” the agency said.

Although they are harmless, due to their size even a gentle brush with their tail could injure swimmers, the agency said.

Some residents were happy to have the creature in their sea.

British Alison McKenzie-Blyth, a resident of Al Amwaj 1 in Al Raha area, said: “To be fair it did look a large fish and I know that they are not interested in humans but I am not so sure I would want to get in the water with him.”