DUBAI // A juvenile whale shark caught in August last year has now spent more than 12 months in a Dubai hotel aquarium, triggering renewed calls for its release.
The world's largest living species of fish, whale sharks are listed as vulnerable to extinction in the Red List of Threatened Species, a publication of the International Union for Conservation of Nature. It is a free-roaming ocean fish, travelling vast distances each year and known to dive to depths as great as 1,000 metres.
The animal was caught on August 27 last year in what the Atlantis hotel and resort described as a rescue - a move that was heavily criticised by conservationists asking how an aquarium could accommodate the whale shark's needs. It was even given a name - Sammy.
However, the controversy died down after a few months and the whale shark has continued living at the Ambassador Lagoon, an 11-million-litre fish tank at the resort where it pulls in large crowds of tourists and UAE residents alike.
Nevertheless, wildlife experts still insist that the animal, which measured four metres at the time of the capture, would be better off at sea where she could enjoy a longer life and reproduce.
Many argue that a day close to the first anniversary of her capture would be an ideal time for release.
"Whale sharks do not survive in captivity; even in the very best aquaria they die, as it is difficult to replicate the diet and environment that a pelagic [open sea] filter-feeding shark requires," said Dr David Rowat, the chairman of the Marine Conservation Society in the Seychelles.
A study of 16 whale sharks kept at the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium in Japan, one of the few facilities where the rare fish are exhibited, showed their average life expectancy was less than two years.
In the wild, whale sharks are known to grow to up to 20 metres during a life that can last 60 years.
"If the animal is healthy it should have no problem surviving in the wild," said Dr Rowat, who has spent years studying whale sharks.
"I have recently put satellite tags on two sharks that were captured off China and kept in captivity in sea-pens for a year; both are apparently doing fine some 10 weeks after release, according to the satellite transmissions."
The Dubai whale shark's future, however, remains obscure. Despite repeated attempts by The National over the past seven days, officials at Atlantis, The Palm, could not be reached for comment. While it remains uncertain that the captive will ever be freed, Dr Rowat said there were factors that favoured it happening around the anniversary of its capture.
"The release should be during the season when whale sharks frequent the area. As this is a year later, it is likely that this is the season when the sharks are found here and so is the optimal time."
Another group that has been campaigning for the shark's release is the Emirates Wildlife Society in association with the World Wide Fund for Nature (EWS-WWF), which sent an open letter to Atlantis decision-makers in February this year.
"The Atlantis confirmed during an interview with the Business Breakfast on September 24 2008 that they would release the whale shark in due course, but has not yet acted upon its promise," said Lisa Perry, the programme manager at EWS-WWF.
"We will keep urging the Atlantis to reconsider their rationale for keeping the whale shark and release it back into its natural habitat as soon as possible. Keeping the whale shark at a hotel, which is not an educational or scientific institution, does not increase the potential for conservation of the wild population."
Jonathan Ali Khan, a filmmaker who is preparing a documentary on Arabia's shark populations, listed additional reasons in favour of release.
"Releasing her from a tank such as Atlantis is nothing but a good thing. Animals such as whale sharks and sharks in general are genetically imprinted with amazing instincts that have enabled them to survive for over 400 million years," said Mr Khan, who is the founder and director of the Dubai-based Ocean World Production. "It wouldn't take long for her to revert to her normal patterns and behaviour.
"She may need a deworming treatment before being released as it is not sure what she might have picked up while in the tank. Certainly her tail fin has deteriorated since [it was] injured during her capture. The biggest problem she is facing now is from the overcrowding in the tank. The number of fish that have sustained collision or bite injuries is noticeable."
Apart from welfare considerations, the animal should be released as it would eventually be capable of reproducing, added Mr Khan, who is currently organising the UAE's first whale shark conference and workshop in December.
"Each pregnancy can result in her pupping over 300 babies at a time. We don't know how many times females bear young, but we do know that each time she does makes the whole species a little more secure from becoming extinct.
"There are far too many unanswered questions to risk the fate of a young female endangered animal by keeping her in captivity without any specific scientific basis of research. Questions such as where are the breeding grounds? Are our waters a principle nursery for the entire Indian Ocean population?
"For that purpose alone, Sammy needs to be released immediately," said Mr Khan.
"And to make it all worthwhile, Atlantis should release her with a satellite tag and fund the basis of a research project".
While the hotel management would not comment, many visitors to the aquarium seemed unaware of the whale shark's plight.
"This aquarium is really nice and it has a lot of variety. I like it more than the one at the Dubai Mall. I like the sting rays and the sharks," said Kirti, 25, a resident of Ajman.
But Rasourl, a businessman from Iran, said: "This aquarium is too small for the whale shark."
vtodorova@thenational.ae
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About Housecall
Date started: July 2020
Founders: Omar and Humaid Alzaabi
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: HealthTech
# of staff: 10
Funding to date: Self-funded
Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
The biog
Age: 19
Profession: medical student at UAE university
Favourite book: The Ocean at The End of The Lane by Neil Gaiman
Role model: Parents, followed by Fazza (Shiekh Hamdan bin Mohammed)
Favourite poet: Edger Allen Poe
The smuggler
Eldarir had arrived at JFK in January 2020 with three suitcases, containing goods he valued at $300, when he was directed to a search area.
Officers found 41 gold artefacts among the bags, including amulets from a funerary set which prepared the deceased for the afterlife.
Also found was a cartouche of a Ptolemaic king on a relief that was originally part of a royal building or temple.
The largest single group of items found in Eldarir’s cases were 400 shabtis, or figurines.
Khouli conviction
Khouli smuggled items into the US by making false declarations to customs about the country of origin and value of the items.
According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, he provided “false provenances which stated that [two] Egyptian antiquities were part of a collection assembled by Khouli's father in Israel in the 1960s” when in fact “Khouli acquired the Egyptian antiquities from other dealers”.
He was sentenced to one year of probation, six months of home confinement and 200 hours of community service in 2012 after admitting buying and smuggling Egyptian antiquities, including coffins, funerary boats and limestone figures.
For sale
A number of other items said to come from the collection of Ezeldeen Taha Eldarir are currently or recently for sale.
Their provenance is described in near identical terms as the British Museum shabti: bought from Salahaddin Sirmali, "authenticated and appraised" by Hossen Rashed, then imported to the US in 1948.
- An Egyptian Mummy mask dating from 700BC-30BC, is on offer for £11,807 ($15,275) online by a seller in Mexico
- A coffin lid dating back to 664BC-332BC was offered for sale by a Colorado-based art dealer, with a starting price of $65,000
- A shabti that was on sale through a Chicago-based coin dealer, dating from 1567BC-1085BC, is up for $1,950
Indoor Cricket World Cup
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Bantamweight
Siyovush Gulmomdov (TJK) bt Rey Nacionales (PHI) by decision.
Lightweight
Alexandru Chitoran (ROU) bt Hussein Fakhir Abed (SYR) by submission.
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Omar Hussein (JOR) bt Tohir Zhuraev (TJK) by decision.
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Ahmad Labban (LEB) bt Sofiane Benchohra (ALG) by TKO.
Bantamweight
Jaures Dea (CAM) v Nawras Abzakh (JOR) no contest.
Lightweight
Mohammed Yahya (UAE) bt Glen Ranillo (PHI) by TKO round 1.
Lightweight
Alan Omer (GER) bt Aidan Aguilera (AUS) by TKO round 1.
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Mounir Lazzez (TUN) bt Sasha Palatkinov (HKG) by TKO round 1.
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if you go
The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct to Kolkata from Dh1,504 and Dh1,450 return including taxes, respectively. The flight takes four hours 30 minutes outbound and 5 hours 30 minute returning.
The trains
Numerous trains link Kolkata and Murshidabad but the daily early morning Hazarduari Express (3’ 52”) is the fastest and most convenient; this service also stops in Plassey. The return train departs Murshidabad late afternoon. Though just about feasible as a day trip, staying overnight is recommended.
The hotels
Mursidabad’s hotels are less than modest but Berhampore, 11km south, offers more accommodation and facilities (and the Hazarduari Express also pauses here). Try Hotel The Fame, with an array of rooms from doubles at Rs1,596/Dh90 to a ‘grand presidential suite’ at Rs7,854/Dh443.
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
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- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
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The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
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Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
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In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
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