A whale carcass was found spotted off the coast of Ras Al Khaimah on Tuesday.
The 15-metre mammal was found by a fisherman about 11 kilometres from Al Jazeera Al Hamra port.
Marine experts suggested it was likely a Bryde’s whale, which can grow up to 15.6m in length and weigh about 40,000 kilograms. Male Bryde’s whales are typically slightly smaller than females.
The species is common in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans and has previously been seen off the UAE's coast. It feeds on a variety of small fish and crustaceans by filtering sea water through keratin bristles in it's mouth, known as a baleen fringe.
Humaid Al Zaabi told The National he was headed back to port after a fishing trip when he noticed the carcass floating in the water.
“There was a very bad smell coming from the corpse and some fish were feeding off its body,” he said.
“I took some photos and videos before going back to the port. I also informed the coastguards because some fishing boats might accidentally crash into the carcass at night.”
Videos taken by Mr Al Zaabi showed the body had begun to decompose.
“The south-easterly wind direction and current brought the dead whale to our waters and it might keep drifting and reach Umm Al Quwain,” he said.
Dr Saif Al Ghais, executive director of Ras Al Khaimah's Environment Protection and Development Authority, estimated the whale died about two weeks ago.
“The whale is most probably a type of baleen whale, a filter feeder,” he said.
"It looks decomposed from the photos a . but the cause of death can't be determined.
“The current in our part of the sea moves anticlockwise so this has helped in moving the carcass to our side,” he said.
Dr Al Ghais said that, should the carcass reach the shore, authorities will organise its removal and take samples for research.
Natalie Banks, founder of Azraq, a UAE marine conservation organisation, said the whale could have died after being struck by a vessel.
“The condition of the whale in the pictures does not allow for age or sex to be determined but the species is a baleen type of whale, likely to be a Bryde’s whale," Ms Banks said. "It looks like it could have been struck by a ship.”
Bryde’s whales are listed as a species of least concern by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. The species is not typically targeted by commercial whalers but they are exposed to a variety of stressors and threats, including vessel strikes and ocean noises.
“Baleen whales are filter feeders, meaning that they use baleen instead of teeth to collect krill, plankton and small fish from the sea," Ms Banks said.
“Bryde’s whales are found in warm, temperate oceans. At this time, there is not enough information to estimate population trends for the Bryde’s whale species as a whole."
The Arabian Gulf has been identified as a possible migration route for these large mammals.
In April, Fujairah Whale Project shared a video of a Bryde’s whale that was spotted off the coast of Fujairah.
Another video was shared in January of Bryde’s whales emerging from the water to breathe off the coast of Abu Dhabi.
Strandings of this species have occurred in recent years in the UAE. Last year, the carcass of a 12m Bryde's whale was found floating near Sir Abu Nair island off the Sharjah coast. Officials believed the mammal was struck by a vessel.
Day 4, Dubai Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Lahiru Gamage appeared to have been hard done by when he had his dismissal of Sami Aslam chalked off for a no-ball. Replays suggested he had not overstepped. No matter. Two balls later, the exact same combination – Gamage the bowler and Kusal Mendis at second slip – combined again to send Aslam back.
Stat of the day Haris Sohail took three wickets for one run in the only over he bowled, to end the Sri Lanka second innings in a hurry. That was as many as he had managed in total in his 10-year, 58-match first-class career to date. It was also the first time a bowler had taken three wickets having bowled just one over in an innings in Tests.
The verdict Just 119 more and with five wickets remaining seems like a perfectly attainable target for Pakistan. Factor in the fact the pitch is worn, is turning prodigiously, and that Sri Lanka’s seam bowlers have also been finding the strip to their liking, it is apparent the task is still a tough one. Still, though, thanks to Asad Shafiq and Sarfraz Ahmed, it is possible.
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The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
What are the influencer academy modules?
- Mastery of audio-visual content creation.
- Cinematography, shots and movement.
- All aspects of post-production.
- Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
- Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
- Tourism industry knowledge.
- Professional ethics.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
At Everton Appearances: 77; Goals: 17
At Manchester United Appearances: 559; Goals: 253
The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo flat-six
Power: 650hp at 6,750rpm
Torque: 800Nm from 2,500-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto
Fuel consumption: 11.12L/100km
Price: From Dh796,600
On sale: now
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Honeymoonish
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Wicked: For Good
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater
Rating: 4/5
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
GULF MEN'S LEAGUE
Pool A Dubai Hurricanes, Bahrain, Dubai Exiles, Dubai Tigers 2
Pool B Abu Dhabi Harlequins, Jebel Ali Dragons, Dubai Knights Eagles, Dubai Tigers
Opening fixtures
Thursday, December 5
6.40pm, Pitch 8, Abu Dhabi Harlequins v Dubai Knights Eagles
7pm, Pitch 2, Jebel Ali Dragons v Dubai Tigers
7pm, Pitch 4, Dubai Hurricanes v Dubai Exiles
7pm, Pitch 5, Bahrain v Dubai Eagles 2
Recent winners
2018 Dubai Hurricanes
2017 Dubai Exiles
2016 Abu Dhabi Harlequins
2015 Abu Dhabi Harlequins
2014 Abu Dhabi Harlequins
Tom Fletcher on 'soft power'
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