Around the world, 130 incidents of alleged shark-human interaction were recorded by ISAF in 2014. Despite their size however, they pose almost no threat to people, as they are filter feeders, and feed only on the very small invertebrates suspended in water, like plankton. It is through experiences like this that I have been made aware of the symbiotic relationship that is possible between sharks and humans. I hope the recent accident that happened in Khorfakkan where a man has been attacked by a shark will not lead to a “monster hunt’ here in the UAE. Itâs certainly clear that sharks are living among us here in Dubai and in the UAE, but exactly which species of sharks are the most common? Over the years people have spotted species such as Tiger Sharks, Hammerheads and Mako Sharks. This keeps the fish healthy and strong, which in the long term will benefit us. These smaller variations of sharks frequent the Indo-Pacific area, putting them right in the trajectory of the UAE. Divers all over the world encounter these sharks often and have no problems swimming alongside them. Its no surprise that many different types of sharks call the UAE home, at least for a few months of the year, as the UAE and its neighbouring countries are blessed with a rich and vibrant level of biodiversity. A pick and carry by Rohan gains a few yards followed by a cheeky run by Matthew Tyrrell gets them close to the line. We have very little fear of them, but it is them rather, who have much to fear of us. “But it is difficult to predict when a shark would attack a human.". One of Dubai Sharks R.F.C. The waters in the gulf are perfect for these small sharks, as they prefer warm and shallow seas â typically between 8 and 40 meters deep. “It is common to occasionally see whale sharks in UAE waters during the winter months.” The females produce eggs, but the young hatch inside the mother unlike other fish that lay in water. With the whole scene on record, the twist to the Open World Surf League event at Jeffreys Bay in South Africa resembled a typical scene from the thriller movie Jaws. Under the eyes of a terrified audience, he punched and kicked the shark, a defence mechanism that saved his life. In September, the EAD reported that two whale sharks were spotted in Al Raha Canal. #loan #Bank #Souqalmal ‘Loan shark’ is a term used for a private or illegal moneylender who offers loans to those borrowers who have either exhausted their conventional credit options or are simply not eligible to apply for a loan elsewhere. The Top 10 Best Places To Find Sharks Teeth . They play their rugby in the UAE Division 1 league and model themselves on the mantra of “Serious Rugby, Seriously Social!”. The great hammerhead, found around the UAE waters is the largest species of hammerhead shark. Since the release of Jaws , the overwhelming public perception is that sharks are dangerous to humans and do not deserve to be protected. An official said the agency takes full care of the sharks and their habitat. Blacktip reef shark are found on coral reefs and around rocky headlands and islands. In a similar situation, whilst diving in the Maldives, me and three other divers had just descended quite deep, to roughly 35m, when suddenly a grey reef shark swam out from below us. For most people, an encounter with a shark conjures up fears of limbs bitten off or being eaten alive. Before the Gulf is overfished and the shark populations greatly threatened, our ecosystems and our neighbourâs ecosystems can be spared. Their habitats are very similar to White Tips, preferring both shallow and warm waters and mainly inhabiting coral reefs. And if you feel as though you want to experience what itâs like to swim alongside them, to understand the harmony in which we can both live, and to truly experience the absence of the fear that you thought you would feel â get out there, start diving, and keep your eyes peeled! “The number of shark-human interactions occurring in a given year is directly correlated with the amount of time humans spend in the sea. Common species in the UAE One of the most common species of sharks that lives in the Gulf is the White Tip Reef Shark. The newly installed Perspex and metal cage descends into the Aquarium tank allowing snorkelers an inside view and interaction with the marine life, without having any diver training. In general, however, the number of worldwide unprovoked shark attacks has grown at a steady pace since 1900, with each decade having more attacks than the previous, ISAF pointed out. Like many species, the White Tips are a social species so theyâll often be seen in groups, lying on the sandy bottom, or under crevices and in caves. Here is a brief summary of sharks found in the UAE. Most of the aggressive interactions that take place between sharks and people here in the UAE occur only with fishermen who accidently catch these sharks through by-catch. The integral role that these sharks play however is threatened, as are their populations. Abu Dhabi. According to the International Shark Attack File (ISAF), a database run by a university in Florida that records the number of provoked as well as unprovoked shark attacks in the world, only two shark attacks have been recorded in the UAE in history. The huge shark circled us and enjoyed the feeling of the bubbles we were expelling tickling his belly. Search and compare second hand Hifi equipment from 400+ sources world wide. Progressing a little (or more aptly, a lot) in size, a list of sharks that inhabit the Gulf wouldnât be complete without mentioning the famous gentle giants: the Whale Sharks. And as with any healthy ecosystem, sharks are there to maintain it. The whale sharks were spotted in Al Raha and Al Bahia. Another very common species is the Zebra Shark. Sharks play a crucial role in maintaining the health of a habitat by âcleaningupâ the reefs and preying on the sick and weak fish populations, keeping coral reefs free of disease and strengthening the gene pool of the rest of the populations. For 400 million years, sharks have called this planet their home. These could possibly be one of the most frequently sighted sharks in the area (it makes it easier when theyâre so very large); with divers, swimmers and, strangely, pedestrians and residents in the Marina reporting sightings every year. GREAT WHITE SHARK: The fact this beast has some three thousand teeth should give you a clue as to his fearsomeness. Fishing ban: Sharks to go off the menu in UAE from next week Mar 3, 2021 #education , #health , #Transport , #UAE , #Weather , crime , Environment Feed , government , science Dubai: Sharks are likely to go temporarily off the menu in the UAE from next week as the annual ban on fishing and trade of sharks will come into effect from March 1. Whale sharks grow to over 40 feet long and weigh as much as 20 tons. GREAT WHITE SHARK: The fact this beast has some three thousand teeth should give you a clue as to his fearsomeness. But the UAE is far more involved with the survival This, in comparison with Australiaâs number of 572, is a good record. Photo for illustrative purpose only. The danger is more prominent when people are not aware of the possible presence of sharks in certain waters, and insist on sharing these waters with the sea mammals. Of these, 78 species are considered threatened in the Arabian Sea region. Destinations such as Fuvahmulah, Vaavu, South Ari and Rasdhoo Atolls in the Maldives, Malapascua and Tubbataha in the Philippines, Layang Layang and Sipadan in Malaysia, and Triton Bay, Maratua and Komodo in Indonesia all offer amazing shark encounters, as well as some of the best scuba diving in the world. “In general, sharks are very shy. The sharks of the world are quickly becoming endangered, and some are even in threat of extinction. In continuing our five-part poster series on UAE marine animals, Oasis takes a closer look at whale sharks. This record is a lot less worrying than the 242 recorded cases in South Africa, where human-shark encounter is a common. Though the vast majority of sharks inhabit either offshore or deep water, there are also species that occasionally venture in a little closer to shore. The Dubai Sharks Rugby Club celebrated their 10 year anniversary in 2018, a local rugby club to Dubai, based out at North London Collegiate College, just 5 minutes from the city centre. “There are sharks that come onshore, it is their natural habitat after all,” says Ministry of Environment and Water’s Jabado. There are no Great White Sharks in the Arabian Gulf, and shark attacks in general are extremely rare. Actually, sharks … The appearance of this shark is one of the most distinctive throughout the whole shark family tree. (GETTY/GALLO). AMEinfo Staff. Like the others, it is found in tropical and warm temperature waters, living mainly in coastal areas. Dubai Media Incorporated. Thursday Sep 24, 2020. The last dive of the day was meant for 3 rocks as is the norm for the weekend for some turtle spotting. The UAE could hold the key to the future of endangered whale sharks | Community, Things To Do, Culture, Interview, Area Guides Most Dubaians’ knowledge about whale sharks extends to two points: first, there’s one in the Atlantis hotel’s aquarium, and second, this is a bad thing. Fears about sharks are often misguided, as sharks are far less dangerous than movies like Steven Spielbergâs 1975 classic âJawsâ depict. The number was lower than the 75 recorded in 2013 and represents the lowest global total since 68 in 2009. While they usually feed on fish, seals and other sea animals, should a surfer find him/herself in the wrong place at the wrong time they might be mistaken for dinner. UAE. all species of sharks, skates, rays and chimaeras (Class Chondrichthyes), the term “shark catch” is taken to include directed, bycatch, commercial, recreational and other forms of taking sharks. After all, as Rima Jabado, Fisheries Expert at the Ministry of Environment and Water points out, there are 31 sharks species that have been identified in UAE waters, and among these are deep water as well as coastal sharks. These smaller variations of sharks frequent the Indo-Pacific area, putting them right in the trajectory of the UAE. Unfortunately, 100 million sharks are killed every year, either through bycatch, illegal fishing, or to harvest their fins and oils for shark fin soup. 31 sharks species in UAE waters, but odds of attack negligible. Dubai: Sharks are likely to go temporarily off the menu in the UAE from next week as the annual ban on fishing and trade of sharks will come into effect from. However, there are some species that maybe aren’t quite as friendly as you’d think, so it’s important to know who’s who down there. Loan sharks in the UAE: How to escape their clutches. Although the UAE  in particular wouldnât be considered a hospitable place for sharks, in reality, itâs quite the contrary. The UAE coast is not known for shark attacks, say the experts. My first experience with one of these creatures was in Oman, at the end of a dive, very close to the surface. Come face to face with Grey Reef Sharks, Fan-tail rays, Cow nose rays and Giant Groupers – in the new Cage Experience at Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo. In fact, he remained so still that he only moved after my dive buddy proceeded to tickle his tail (I wouldnât advise touching a shark in any situation), after which point the shark decided he wanted to search for a more quite place to sleep, and off he swam. Thursday 24 September 2020. It is believed that sharks were traditionally caught using longlines, a method popular with pearl divers who wanted to remove large animals from the vicinity of their dive site. “If you go on safari and jump out of the car in front of a lion, you would not expect the lion not to attack either.”. Females give birth to about 300 young ones that may live 100 to 150 years. Dubai: Sharks are likely to go temporarily off the menu in the UAE from next week as the annual ban on fishing and trade of sharks will come into effect from March 1. Black Tip Reef Sharks are very similar to White Tips, both in their size and their behaviour. TRADE IN SHARKS UAE capture production of sharks and rays reported to FAO from 1986 to 2009 (in tons) UAE exports of shark products from 1976 to 2008 in tons (FAO FishStat,2001)!! Throughout this time theyâve scoured the oceans and maintained their position of power as the top predators of the seas. About United Arab Emirates. The UAE has 153 chondrichthyans, a class of cartilaginous fish that includes sharks, rays, skates, sawfish and chimaeras. MANAGEMENT CHALLENGES › Fisher knowledge shows declines in shark numbers in the past 5-10 years Copyright © 2019 https://outdooruae.com | All Rights Reserved. Last week, an alleged shark was spotted off the coast of Ajman, where a tourist filmed the shark swimming in low waters from his apartment. “I love sharks. This has been proven to me time and time again whilst swimming with them. In 72 of these incidents, it concerned unprovoked shark attacks on humans, or incidents where an attack on a live human by a shark occurred in its natural habitat without human provocation of the shark. “We see a lot of whale sharks, which are amazing creatures that feed on plankton. UAE Divers Organisation Says: “Stop Buying Sharks and Shark Fin Soup” Posted on April 4, 2011 by Arwa Aburawa in Travel We speak to Ibrahim Al Zu’bi from the Emirates Divers Association about why the ban on shark finning in the UAE hasn’t worked … Search by popular brands such as Accuphase, Hegel, Krell, Luxman, Mark Levinson and Sonus faber, and by categories like floorstanding speakers, integrated amplifiers, speaker systems, turntables and more. The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) will impose the ban coinciding with the spawning season… This requires the help of people like you: avoid buying any products with elements of shark in them, eat only the fish that have been dubbed as âgreenâ or sustainable to eat by organisations like the WWF, and spread awareness of the importance of sharks and the need for conservation. Archeological evidence from the UAE indicates that the exploitation of shark resources can be traced back to more than 7,000 years. Black tips can reach a length of 2.9 meters and interact well with people. “A shark could go onshore for many reasons," said Jabado. November 16, 2018. I have encountered these sharks on a number of different occasions, and most of the time theyâre laying on the ground under a small cave refusing to come out, making taking their picture a very difficult task! Common species in the UAE There is nothing really dangerous and nothing found at popular swimming beaches apart from numerous sightings at private beaches on The Palm. So that’s great news if you’re not able to travel very far, or if you already live near the beach. This United Arab Emirates (UAE) NPOA is intended to illustrate UAE’s commitment to the conservation But even this shark is mostly harmless,” she narrated, adding that she has never been harmed or faced a dangerous situation. The White Tips are generally small, growing only to a maximum of 2.5 meters with a slim and streamlined body shape. But according to local experts, there is no reason to fear sharks lurking off the UAE's coast. The UAE does not form an exception to this logic, and although incidents are rare, they cannot be statistically ruled out. Image Credit: Ahmed Ramzan/Gulf News/archive Dubai: Sharks are likely to go temporarily off the menu in the UAE fro When they see a human in the water, they are probably just curious, because they see a big noisy fish they do not know,” says Bonita Carr, an experienced diver in Dubai. The shark catch at a fish market in UAE being unloaded from truck for an auctions. There are more than 30 different species of shark off the coast of the UAE, some are rare, some not so much. 39°c. There are sadly many species of shark in different parts of the world that are currently vulnerable to extinction. Nomadic tribal heritage and modern society co-exist in the UAE, a federation of seven emirates at the southeastern edge of the Arabian Peninsula. I have seen a Hammerhead, which is a little more dangerous for humans, in Musandam. United Arab Emirates Tourism: Best of United Arab Emirates. More on MSN UAE: Cargo ship runs aground on Istanbul coast, closing Bosphorus. At a Wasps Scrum, the ball is put in, but the Sharks Pack is too strong and they push the Wasps off the ball. As these sharks often do frequent the surface, theyâre easy to spot, so next time youâre out on the water, keep your eyes open! There are many other species of sharks that live in the Gulf and possibly even in the waters surrounding the UAE. Watch researchers tag whale sharks, the biggest fish in the ocean. Two different species of sharks were seen during the weekend in Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah. Itâs these dimensions that have earned this giant the title of âthe largest fish in the seaâ. The sightings of rays, sharks, and dolphins are welcome to Natalie Banks, founder and president of Dubai-based marine conservation group Azraq, who suggests our … As well, by regulating the fish populations through preying on them, sharks keep the food chain in place and prevent certain species growing out of proportion and causing damage to the environment themselves. A sharkâs instinct when discovering that humans are near is to turn the other way â because more often than not, the average sized person will be much bigger in size than most sharks, and so they wonât want to face off with anything bigger than them. With their calm and docile nature, these sharks pose very little threat to people and are certainly not something to be feared. Similar to White Tips, the Zebra Shark frequents the Indo-Pacific area. The presence of sharks in an ecosystem indicate that that ecosystem is healthy; which shows the coral reefs surrounding the UAE and further spread out over the Gulf arenât doing too bad, as the shark populations are stable. Something to fear? According to divers in the UAE, most sharks they come across are harmless. They are however quite shy, and will avoid people if they can. My first encounter with one of these was in Oman, where we found one laying still on the sand behind a rock wall.He was perfectly happy for a few of us divers to get quite close and take in his spectacular coat, as well as snap a few pictures of him. Jul 13, 2016 | Activity, Diving, Home Articles. tries against Xodus Wasps Dubai II from the Sport 360 UAE Conference B5 Final. Sharks play an integral part of the ocean’s ecosystem. Moreover, these goliaths can reach weights of 20 tonnes â which is almost the same as two double-decker buses! Two whale sharks have returned to Abu Dhabi waters after missing since a week, the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi said. But the manager decided that although its a great dive, the chance of seeing whale sharks again was too tempting so we changed the site to Dibba so my student and I and everyone else can have a try. Species like these frequent waters further offshore and much deeper, so encounters with people arerarer. With those behaviours and dietary requirements, the Zebra Shark poses an even lesser threat to humans than White Tips. Copyright @ 2021. In South Africa last week, Mick Fanning was waiting for the perfect wave when a shark suddenly approached him from behind. In 2011, two Hammerheads were spotted in the popular Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR) waters, and swimmers were instructed to get out of the water. Should UAE beachgoers be cautious before dipping their toes in the tempting cool sea? It may be a hard concept to grasp, but sharks really donât see us as an item on their menu, and so they present very little danger. Believe it or not, but shark teeth can be found on pretty much any beach in the world. Unlike White Tips, Zebra sharks are bottom feeders, also known as âcarpet-fishâ, and so most of their diet encompasses what lies on the seabed, including things like small fish and crabs. The shark catch at a fish market in UAE being unloaded from truck for an auctions. In comparison, sharks kill 12 people per year â which is almost always cases of mistaken identity when the shark has mistaken a person for its real prey, due to things like cloudy water or rough seas. As world population continues its upsurge and interest in aquatic recreation concurrently rises, we realistically should expect increases in the number of shark attacks and other aquatic recreation-related injuries.”. This was evidenced through the spotting of a large whale shark that had wandered into the Marina earlier this year (which residents claim is almost an annual occurrence), or the two hammerheads spotted off JBR, close to the Palm, back in 2011. Photograph for illustrative function solely. Even the larger variations will do their best to avoid us because we simply arenât a part of their food chain. The only sensible fear that we should experience is the fear that shark populations may decline to a rate that will cause irreversible damage to the ecosystem. If sharks were to disappear from the world’s oceans, the environmental consequences would be massive. All rights reserved. Their presence is a sign that a healthy ecosystem is in place. What is the probability of such a scenario playing out here in the UAE? With over 440 different species of sharks, they vary in shape, size, behaviour and location; and with their vast spread over multiple different habitats, some of them have landed here, in the UAE. Even as these sharks began to form a wide circle around us, I still did not feel threatened. The White Tips are generally small, growing only to a maximum of 2.5 meters with a slim and streamlined body shape. Iâve had the opportunity to swim alongside some of the worldâs most âdangerousâ sharks, like Tiger Sharks and Hammerheads â and as I swim beside them, or as they swim above me, or around me, I seldom experience fear, as I donât feel like Iâm in any danger. In fact, in 2014 the International Shark Attack File found that in the entire history of the UAE, there have been only 2 shark attacks. The report could not be confirmed. Instead, I feel quite certain that these sharks arenât even interested in my presence at all. The largest recorded Whale Shark reached an unprecedented length of 12 meters, which is roughly the same length as a London double-decker bus. Admittedly it was quite a shock, but then as we turned around it seemed the Grey Reef wasnât alone, but rather part of a cluster of about 30 different sharks made up of Grey Reefs, White Tips and Black Tips. The short answer is: No. These species have been known to be more aggressive and therefore dangerous, but more often than not this is only a result of being provoked. Picture Credit score: Ahmed Ramzan/Gulf Information/archive Dubai: Sharks are prone to go quickly off the menu within the UAE from subsequent week because the annual ban on fishing and commerce of sharks will come […] So if the ratio is so heavily in our favour, who do we still carry such fears? As the apex predators, they keep the food chain in balance. One of the most common species of sharks that lives in the Gulf is the White Tip Reef Shark. He has practiced journalism in UAE … Some of the world’s best places to dive with sharks can be found in Asia. Their size however differs, as the Zebra Sharks can reach lengths up to 3.5 meters and generally have a much wider girth. That being said, she believes that humans should not be surprised by the presence of the sea habitants, and their potential danger. Its my divers first dive ever in the sea. When they are young, they will have light-coloured stripes wrapped around their bodies all the way down to the tail, and then as they get older these stripes progress into spots, mimicking a leopard â and so with that, theyâre hard to miss. Whale sharks often appear in Abu Dhabi waters.
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