According to Thabit Al Abdessalaam, Director of EAD’s Biodiversity Management Sector, Abu Dhabi’s coastal waters are known to be a hosting habitat for the whale sharks, because it is rich in important microscopic plants and animals (scientifically known as phytoplanktons and zooplanktiontons) that form the main food source for this giant harmless fish.

He said “Whale sharks occurring in the coastal areas of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and the Arabian Gulf in general are mainly juveniles suggesting this area may be an important range as a nursery ground for these gentle giants”.

Thabit Al Abdessalaam noted that it is worth knowing that this the second time during this year to record this fish in Abu Dhabi Island. “Its appearance in the late winter and spring season may indicate a change in its behavior due to change in the temperature regimes of the water” he said.

Facts about Whale Shark:
• The whale shark is the largest fish in the sea, reaching lengths of more than 12 meters and weights of more than 20 tones.
• This distinctively-marked fish is the only member of its genus Rhincodon and its family, Rhincodontidae that can live up to 70 years.
• Preferring warm waters, whale sharks populate all tropical seas. Although massive, they are docile fish and sometimes allow swimmers to hitch a ride. The whale shark is a filter feeder which consumes plankton which they scoop up in their gaping mouths while swimming close to the water's surface.
• They are currently listed as a vulnerable species according to IUCN; however, they continue to be hunted in parts of some Asian countries.
• As a filter feeder it has a capacious mouth which can be up to 1.5 metres wide and can contain between 300 and 350 rows of tiny teeth. The body is mostly grey with a white belly; three prominent ridges run along each side of the animal and the skin is marked with a "checkerboard" of pale yellow spots and stripes.

These spots are unique to each individual and are useful for counting populations. Its skin can be up to 10 centimeters.
• This species, despite its size, does not pose significant danger to humans.
• The female shark can carry more than 300 pups. The eggs remain in the body and the females give birth to live young which are 40 to 60 centimeters long. It is believed that they reach sexual maturity at around 30 years and the life span is an estimated 70 -100 years.