DUBAI // Shark watching is not something usually associated with Dubai, but social media was abuzz on Thursday with news of a huge, but harmless, whale shark swimming gracefully in and out of Dubai Marina.
Although unusual, sightings are more common than expected. Workers at the Dubai International Marine Club have seen whale sharks every year since 2002.
Shafi Chalayil, 32, an Indian watersports co-ordinator, said the shark swam along the harbour wall probably looking for food.
“I saw it, but didn’t have my camera with me. I grabbed my paddle board to get out so I could see it better.
“I paddle across from Palm Jumeirah every morning. I have seen them about seven or eight times. In 2004, I saw a mother whale shark swimming with two youngsters. It is not so unusual, and maybe they are eating the drainage waste washed over by the bigger ships when they come into the marina.”
Divers training at the nearby Dive Centre missed out on the chance of seeing the shark as they were practising their skills in a pool at the time of its arrival.
“There are lots of theories about why they come in so close, maybe to feed,” said British diving instructor Jason Sockett, who owns the centre and has been in Dubai for 19 years. “A few years ago there was one swimming around in the area for days.
“Some of my guys were teaching when the shark came in this time, so they were disappointed to miss out.
“It is important if people do see a whale shark that they leave it alone and keep their distance. I’ve seen people grabbing them, but they should be left alone. If you’re in a boat, keep your distance. They’ve found their way in, so they’ll find their way out to sea again.”
nwebster@thenational.ae
The Farewell
Director: Lulu Wang
Stars: Awkwafina, Zhao Shuzhen, Diana Lin, Tzi Ma
Four stars
The full list of 2020 Brit Award nominees (winners in bold):
British group
Coldplay
Foals
Bring me the Horizon
D-Block Europe
Bastille
British Female
Mabel
Freya Ridings
FKA Twigs
Charli xcx
Mahalia
British male
Harry Styles
Lewis Capaldi
Dave
Michael Kiwanuka
Stormzy
Best new artist
Aitch
Lewis Capaldi
Dave
Mabel
Sam Fender
Best song
Ed Sheeran and Justin Bieber - I Don’t Care
Mabel - Don’t Call Me Up
Calvin Harrison and Rag’n’Bone Man - Giant
Dave - Location
Mark Ronson feat. Miley Cyrus - Nothing Breaks Like A Heart
AJ Tracey - Ladbroke Grove
Lewis Capaldi - Someone you Loved
Tom Walker - Just You and I
Sam Smith and Normani - Dancing with a Stranger
Stormzy - Vossi Bop
International female
Ariana Grande
Billie Eilish
Camila Cabello
Lana Del Rey
Lizzo
International male
Bruce Springsteen
Burna Boy
Tyler, The Creator
Dermot Kennedy
Post Malone
Best album
Stormzy - Heavy is the Head
Michael Kiwanuka - Kiwanuka
Lewis Capaldi - Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent
Dave - Psychodrama
Harry Styles - Fine Line
Rising star
Celeste
Joy Crookes
beabadoobee
Third Test
Day 3, stumps
India 443-7 (d) & 54-5 (27 ov)
Australia 151
India lead by 346 runs with 5 wickets remaining
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
Simran
Director Hansal Mehta
Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Soham Shah, Esha Tiwari Pandey
Three stars
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Xpanceo
Started: 2018
Founders: Roman Axelrod, Valentyn Volkov
Based: Dubai, UAE
Industry: Smart contact lenses, augmented/virtual reality
Funding: $40 million
Investor: Opportunity Venture (Asia)
CREW
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The biog
Hobby: Playing piano and drawing patterns
Best book: Awaken the Giant Within by Tony Robbins
Food of choice: Sushi
Favourite colour: Orange
