Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus, Smith 1828) Records from the United Arab Emirates between 1989 - 2009

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Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus, Smith 1828) Records from the United Arab Emirates between 1989 - 2009.

By: Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher Khalaf-Sakerfalke von Jaffa

While I was writing my articles about the presence of Whale Sharks (Rhincodon typus, Smith 1828) in Palestine and Kuwait (Khalaf-Sakerfalke von Jaffa, 2007), I searched the Internet for articles, references and photos. I saw many websites mentioning the presence of Whale Sharks in the Waters of the United Arab Emirates.

The Arabic common name of the Whale Shark is Al-Qirsh Al-Hout ‫ القرش الحوت‬.

The Whale Shark local name in the United Arab Emirates is Al-Djer ‫ الجر‬.

Jebel Ali, Emirate of Dubai, 10. September 1989 : A seven ton whale shark carcass was hauled out of the sea at Jebel Ali on 10th September, 1989. The creature seems to have died after ingesting natural toxic matter, possibly red-coloured algae, according to Tony Woodward, author of the recently-published "The Living Seas". The whale shark is rare in the Arabian Gulf, preferring the greater depths of the Indian Ocean where it scoops up plankton in its wide-open mouth (Emirates Natural History Group, 1989).

Dubai Marina, Dubai, 24. September 2003 : The man-made channel at Dubai Marina was recently visited by a young but large whale shark, which stayed in the waters for over three days before returning to the ocean. This is the second time in less than a month when the particular species of fish was sighted in the waters of Dubai.

Mohammed Abdul Rahman Hassan, Head of the Marine Environment and Sanctuaries Unit of the Environment Protection and Safety Section (EPSS) at Dubai Municipality, said that his unit swung into action and reached the location immediately after it was alerted of the sighting.

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2 "We had to make sure that the fish was not injured. Most of the large species of fish and whales that enter shallow areas get injured and are in bad shape, but this particular whale shark was in fine condition," he commented.

The sight of the fish, estimated by experts to be 4.5 to 5 meters long and weighing several hundred kilos, attracted large crowds for the three days that it swam around in the area (Zaigham Ali Mirza, Khaleej Times, 2003).

Dubai Marina, Dubai, 16. July 2005 : A whale shark which became trapped at Dubai Marina on Saturday 16.07.2005 morning has made its own way out to the open sea after various attempts to guide it back out to the Arabian Gulf failed.

Security staff at the marina spotted the shark at around 7.00 a.m. swimming in the waters close to Spinneys Supermarket.

The Whale Shark, Dubai Marina. Saturday 16.07.2005. Foto: Kiran Prasad/Gulf News.

Police and coastguard boats created sound barriers with their launches to try and drive the shark away but after a few attempts, it was decided to try and put the shark in a net and drag it out to sea.

The net was deemed too small, however, and Dubai police have now decided to let the whale shark finds its own way out.

Captain Hussain Al Rahoomi, rescue director in-charge at Dubai police, said: "We have decided to leave the shark inside the harbour because it is difficult to drive it outside. He will find his own way out. He is harmless so he can stay, it doesn't matter if he is inside or outside the marina. I hope when he does leave no fishermen will be waiting for him."

Redha Salman, head of environmental protection and safety section at Dubai Municipality, said: “It is unusual but we have seen two cases so far. A little over a year ago a whale shark was trapped here. We do not want to disturb it,

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3 otherwise they panic, and reports say he is swimming calmly. Usually they stay in a channel because they are comfortable and have found a feeding source."

Hundreds of construction workers and bystanders quickly gathered to have a look at the trapped whale shark at Dubai Marina, 16.07.2005. Foto: Kiran Prasad/Gulf News.

The Whale Shark at Dubai Marina. 16.07.2005. Foto: Kiran Prasad/Gulf News.

Shaun Lenehan, Senior Environmental Scientist from Nakheel Properties said whale sharks are docile and feed on plankton and occasionally fish. "The scientific name for the Whale Shark at the marina is Rhincodon typus. They grow to 15 meters, weigh up to 15 tonnes and feed primarily on plankton."

According to marine scientist Laura Bates, who is working in Dubai and saw the shark at Dubai Marina, the whale shark can grow to about 14 meters. "The one today was a juvenile. Whale sharks are the biggest fish in the world and are

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4 harmless to humans. Usually they're about half a meter in length at birth, so this one wasn't that young, but certainly not as big as some of the adults that have been seen. It had a couple of large remora under its belly sucker fish that attach and cruise along for the ride." Bates said the mouth extends the whole width of the flattened head.

Whale sharks feed on plankton and small fish (Emmanuelle Landais and Piers Grimley Evans, Gulf News, 17. July 2005).

Jimmy Grewal (2005) said that he saw the last whale shark about twenty years ago when a full grown specimen washed up dead on one of the beaches in Dubai.

The Whale Shark at Dubai Marina, 16.07.2005. Foto: Kiran Prasad/Gulf News.

The Whale Shark at Dubai Marina, 16.07.2005. Foto: Kiran Prasad/Gulf News.

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Dubai Marina, Dubai, 25. June 2006 : Dubai Residents and workers at Dubai Marina were stunned to see a whale shark swimming through the bay in the morning.

The animal, which was about five meters long, attracted a crowd of onlookers as it swam close to the barriers at the edge of the pedestrian walkways.

Among those lucky enough to see the creature, thought to be a juvenile because of its modest size, was Ania Sikora from Australia, who spotted it from her 14th floor flat. “It was swimming around the bay for about four hours. It was amazing. It was swimming in a very graceful way I felt like jumping in and having a swim with it," she said.

The first sighting was reported at 8.00 a.m. and Sikora said she last saw the animal at about midday. Residents said they were unsure if the animal had escaped back into the Arabian Gulf.

This is not the first time that a whale shark has been seen in Dubai Marina, with Gulf News reporting in November on the arrival of a four-meter-long specimen.

About a year before this there was another sighting.

Ebrahim Al Zu'bi, Director of the Environment and Research Department at Emirates Diving Association, said he was unsure why they had visited the marina. He said he was ready to help rescue the shark and lead it out to open waters if it was seen in the marina bay again. He added: "They are harmless creatures they are very interesting and amazing for all sea lovers." (Daniel Bardsley, Gulf News, 2006).

A four meter long whale shark drew crowds after being spotted at Port Zayed in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday 07.02.2007. Image Credit: Ravindranath/Gulf News.

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Port Zayed, Abu Dhabi, 07. February 2007 : A striking whale shark, spotted along the quay at Port Zayed in Abu Dhabi on 07.02.2007, drew a small crowd of admirers and environmental enthusiasts - and one onlooker got into the water to try to swim with it. However, the four-meter long shark, with its characteristic white spots, was quick to shy away.

Mohana Rao, a marketing executive who alerted Gulf News about the sighting, was in the Port Zayed area around 1.00 p.m. when she heard about the gentle giant.

"It is such a beautiful animal and I wanted to help because I was not sure if it needed any assistance," Rao told Gulf News. "It has been swimming back and forth along the quay for a while now."

The Whale Shark at Port Zayed, Abu Dhabi. 07.02.2007. Foto: Ravindranath/Gulf News.

Dr. Thabit Zahran, director of the marine environment research centre at the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi (EAD), says that it is not unusual for the whale to be found in UAE waters at this time of year.

"Whale sharks are normally found in the Gulf, and they are a threatened species," explained Dr. Zahran. "They feed on plankton, which is found abundantly in ports due to the eutrophication process (results in nutrient-rich environments that support a dense plant population). So maybe this is why this whale was attracted to the area."

Dr. Zahran added that the whale may have deliberately made its way to the port to feed, but that it most likely lost its way. "Sometimes we have to help them to make their way out. We will monitor the situation today and if it appears to be in Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – Number 94 – October 2009

7 danger, we will try to lead it out, although they can be quite stubborn." (Rania Habib and Mohammad Shamseddine, Staff Reporters, Gulf News, 2007).

Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, (no exact date: probably 2007 or 2008) : Gentle Giant Visits Palm Jumeirah : This week a resident of Frond P on Palm Jumeirah photograph a juvenile Whale Shark swimming in the waters in front of their home. The whale shark (Rhincodon typus) grows up to 15 meters in length and can weigh up to 20 tonnes.

The specimen seen in the waters of Palm Jumeirah was only 3.5 m in length so is really only a baby still. The whale shark only eats plankton and is harmless to humans. However, this gentle giant can be a bit clumsy with its massive bulk so it is best to stay out of its way. Due to its scarcity, this species is listed as vulnerable under the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) and, as such, it is protected by law. With their gentle nature and phenomenal size, whale sharks are a tourist attraction around the world and people will pay a handsome sum to see them. However, the residents of Palm Jumeirah need only look out of their living room window and they can see one of the wonders of the marine world (The Palm Specialists, no exact date, probably 2007 or 2008).

The Whale Shark at Palm Jumeirah, Dubai.

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The Whale Shark at Palm Jumeirah, Dubai.

Jebel Ali, Emirate of Dubai, 27. August 2008 : “Sammy” or “Sheikha”, The Palm Jumeirah Atlantis Hotel Whale Shark: A whale shark rescued off the coast of Jebel Ali and placed in the Palm Jumeirah Atlantis hotel aquarium will eventually be tagged and released.

Atlantis announced the capture of the juvenile whale shark recently which was found in shallow waters, fatigued and disorientated. The 4 meter long whale shark has been placed in the 11 million liter Ambassador Lagoon - one of the biggest aquariums in the world.

According to Ibrahim Al Zu'bi, environmental advisor with the Emirates Diving Association, the whale shark will offer great opportunities for learning and awareness but should not be kept in the aquarium long term.

"It should be released as soon as possible. Atlantis has plans to tag it and let it go.

Stone structures and ornaments were removed from the aquarium to give it some space. It is a good thing that we have experts now that can handle situations like this," he said.

Al Zu'bi added that previously the Emirates Diving Association (EDA) received many calls about whale sharks that get disorientated and find their way to the Arabian Gulf. "Not much is known about whale sharks by the way so this will

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9 raise awareness for the fish. It is protected by CITES (Convention for the International Trade of Endangered Species) so the hotel should inform them of the whale shark," he said.

This is a Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2008 file photo of “Sammy”, the 13-feet (4 meter) long female whale shark swims inside a giant aquarium at the Palm Jumeirah Atlantis hotel in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Environmentalists on Thursday Oct. 9, 2008 called on the managers of a massive new marine-themed resort in this Gulf boomtown to release a whale shark they are holding inside a giant fish tank. The whale shark wandered into the shallow waters off Dubai's Gulf coast in August. A week later, representatives of the recently opened US$1.5 billion Atlantis hotel announced that the resort's marine biologists and veterinarians had rescued the whale shark and transported it to an open-air aquarium with 65,000 fish, stingrays and other sea creatures.

(AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili).http://newshopper.sulekha.com/emirates-hostage-whaleshark_news_976624.htm

Due to the high sea temperature and salinity of the water where the whale shark was found, the decision was made to transport the whale shark to Atlantis, The Palm for medical care and observation. A custom-made transport unit with a highly advanced marine life transport system was used to ensure the safety and well-being of the animal.

Since the arrival of the whale shark, the animal has been monitored 24 hours a day, including gathering extensive data apparently on swim patterns, feeding and behaviours. The Fish Husbandry team is in constant contact with experts in the whale shark community sharing data and behaviours. The health and wellbeing of all marine life is the number one priority at Atlantis, the hotel said in a Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – Number 94 – October 2009

10 statement.

Alan Leibman, President and Managing Director of Atlantis said, "The whale shark is an animal about which little is known and we hope that we can add to the research and data that is available. Aquariums and marine habitats have been the key to education about our oceans and the animals that live in them.

Education, conservation and research go hand in hand to benefit all marine life."

It is unknown how long Atlantis plan to keep the whale shark for (Emmanuelle Landais, Gulf News, 2008).

After 18 months in captivity, “Sammy” the whale shark has been released back into the waters of the Arabian Gulf on 18 March 2010.

The release comes almost a year after a popular “Gulf News Newspaper” led campaign had thousands of Dubai residents calling for the hotel to release “Sammy”. The campaign involved badges, bumper stickers, jingles and a Facebook group that attracted several thousand members (Emmanuelle Landais, Gulf News, 2010).

The Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus) "Sammy" at Palm Jumeirah Atlantis Hotel Aquarium, Dubai, U.A.E. 1. February 2010. Foto: Dr. Norman Ali Bassam Khalaf-Sakerfalke von Jaffa. www.fotocommunity.de/pc/pc/display/21449033

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Savio Fernandes„cartoons highlighting Sammy's situation. Facebook. http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/environment/sammy-the-shark-gets-drawn-to-attention1.51131

“Free Sammy the Shark” sticker from “Gulf News” Newspaper. www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=84958920572

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12 Atlantis Hotel issued a press release stating that the mammal had already been released.

"After several months of planning, Atlantis, The Palm in Dubai has returned a female whale shark to the waters of the Arabian Gulf from where she was rescued. The Atlantis Fish Husbandry Team utilized their experience and skill to save the animal in compliance with all CITIES regulations."

Whale sharks are listed in appendix 2 of the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES), which stipulates that they can only be held for scientific purposes provided that it does not harm the survival of the species.

A U.A.E. delegation is attending the CITES conference currently taking place in Doha.

Earlier, Ali Bin Saqr Al Suwaidi, president and founder of the Emirates Marine Environment Group (EMEG) had confirmed that the whale shark was set to be released. “An animal of this size cannot be kept in captivity for such a long time,” he said.

The animal was being transported in a boat carrying a sufficient amount of water to allow “Sammy” to swim.

According to Atlantis, the hotel had been “preparing the animal for return to the ocean” during the time that it was being held. “The seasonal elements affecting water temperature, salinity and migratory patterns were perfect for enhancing her survival in the open ocean,” said the hotel.

Environmentalists had been appalled when “Sammy” was first captured because it is a female and a juvenile.

Whale sharks are categorized as “vulnerable” under the International Union for Conservation of Nature red list of threatened species.

Al Suwaidi said that EMEG had increasingly been campaigning for Sammy‟s release during the past few months.

"We will continue to track her progress through a tagging programme codeveloped with The Mote Marine Laboratory in Florida (the world‟s largest scientific research organization dedicated to the study of sharks and their relatives)," said Steve Kaiser, Vice President, Marine and Science Engineering.

“This will give us the opportunity to continue to learn from her and share that research within the whale shark community.” (Emmanuelle Landais, Gulf News, 2010).

The month-long travels of a young female whale shark satellite-tagged in March 2010 by the Fish Husbandry Team at Atlantis, The Palm in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, have been mapped by Mote Marine Laboratory scientists. The shark‟s tracking device detached 33 days after the successful tagging and release near the resort.

The 4.6-meter long female shark “Sammy” rescued and rehabilitated by Atlantis Hotel is believed to be the first whale shark tracked via satellite tag in the Arabian Gulf.

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13 The whale shark “Sammy” showed normal swimming behavior during her month-long tracking period, including diving and surfacing regularly. Her satellite tag, programmed to “pop up” and float to the surface 100 days after her tagging and release, detached two months early on April 20, 2010. Reasons for the premature pop-up are unknown, but it is not unusual for satellite tags to come off early.

After Atlantis staff tagged and released her off Dubai, the whale shark took a mostly westward path through the Arabian Gulf, traveling south of Iran and then curving southward to waters off the coast of Qatar, ending up about 348 km west of her starting point.

The tag also measured water temperature and depth, showing that the whale shark experienced temperatures of between 22.6 and 26.8 degrees Celsius, came to the surface at least once each day, and dove as deep as 72 meters. (The Arabian Gulf‟s average depth is 50 meters and its maximum depth is 90 meter.).

“That‟s normal behavior similar to what we‟ve observed in other whale sharks,” Dr. Robert Hueter, Director of Mote‟s Center for Shark Research, said.

Atlantis Hotel staff members tagged the whale shark with guidance from Mote scientists who have satellite-tagged 30 other whale sharks in the wild including two recently tagged in the Gulf of Mexico (Longboat Key News, 2010).

"Free Sammy Now" campaign on Facebook. www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=93869105312

Martini Rock, Emirate of Fujairah, 06. June 2009 : A Whale Shark encounter near the Martini Rock, Emirate of Fujairah, Gulf of Oman. Divers Adrian Steyn and Marty Robinson . See the film of the swimming Whale Shark under : www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZVsgrv2osc

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Emirates Palace Beach, Abu Dhabi, 14. October 2009 : When Jonathan Papellaro was asked to help rescuers guide a whale shark out of the bay at the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi, he did not hesitate.

Whale sharks are the biggest fish in the world, and this one was cruising just 20 meters from shore, in water so shallow its tail fin broke the surface. “It is really rare to have this experience, and they gave me a chance to go with him,” said Mr. Papellaro, 30, a hotel beach club supervisor.

He and other staff from the Emirates Palace beach club were still buzzing about the whale shark‟s visit, when it swam for several hours near a marina under construction at the hotel.

Staff estimated the fish was seven or eight meters long. Whale sharks can grow up to 12 meters in length.

Two members of the Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi (EAD) asked Mr. Papellaro to swim out to the fish with them to try to lead it into deeper water.

“When they jumped in with the whale shark, I saw it was not really harmful because they touched it,” Mr. Papellaro said.

He swam to the right of the shark; the others were on its left and behind it. From time to time, he said, he could see the creature watching him out of the corner of its eye. “It just went with us,” Mr. Papellaro said. “It didn‟t even try to get away from us. The skin is like sandpaper, like fine sandpaper, your hands will stick on it.”

In the end, the whale shark apparently decided it wanted to stay for a while. It dived away from the swimmers and returned towards shore.

A few guests sunbathing at the west beach were alerted so they would not be alarmed, said Clare Patterson, 25, the beach club‟s manager. However, the whale shark avoided the beach and cruised along a pier wall in view of about 50 staff from the hotel and people on a yacht moored near the marina.

“I‟ve never seen an animal that big that was so unthreatening,” Ms. Patterson said. “Everyone was just silent because she was beautiful. She was just so elegant.”

“I felt very privileged to have seen it and not have to go to an aquarium. She chose to come to us.”

It is not unusual for a whale shark to swim to shore, said Dr. Thabit Zahran Al Abdessalaam, director of marine biodiversity management at the EAD. “They feed on plankton so mainly it would be going for food,” he said. “During this time of the year it is not uncommon.”

Another whale shark, about four meters long, was spotted swimming near the quay of Mina Zayed port in 2007.

Andy Elliot, the beach club director at the Emirates Palace, said a smaller whale shark had come into the hotel‟s bay last year. Mr. Elliot said that in 2007 more than 200 manta rays had swum into the hotel‟s bay. Dolphins also regularly visit the area. “In some respects it makes you feel quite good that we have so much Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – Number 94 – October 2009

15 wildlife that is keen to come in,” Mr. Elliot said.

Tourists in the hotel were surprised to hear that a whale shark had come so near the shore. “I must admit I didn‟t realize they were here,” said Peter Batts, 61, a civil engineer on holiday from the U.K. “We wish we could have seen it,” added his wife, Evelyn.

The whale shark is listed as vulnerable to extinction in the Red List of Threatened Species, a publication by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (Matthew Chung, The National, 2009).

Dubai Marina, Dubai, 18. October 2009: A whale shark was spotted in Dubai Marina on Sunday morning 18. October 2009, by resident Prue Tracy-Inglis from her 22nd floor balcony overlooking Marina Walk.

A whale shark was spotted in Dubai Marina on Sunday morning by resident Prue Tracy-Inglis from her 22nd floor balcony overlooking Marina Walk. October 18, 2009. http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/environment/arabian-gulf-offers-safe-haven-for-whale-sharks1.516388

The most awesome sight in the ocean is quite possibly that of the largest fish in the sea, the whale shark. The Arabian Gulf appears to serve as a nursery ground for these plankton-eating leviathan as almost every sighting of whale sharks in the Arabian Gulf has been of a juvenile. In Australia's north-west, one famous

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16 area for whale sharks - Ningaloo Reef - whale shark sightings are almost exclusively of fully developed adults. Whether the Arabian Gulf is a pupping site for these giant plankton feeding surface dwellers is still not fully understood (Zac Sharpe).

Whale Shark Stamp, United Arab Emirates. Local Name: Al-Djer. Date of Issue: 26. September 2004. Set: Endangered and Extinct Marine Animals of the Arabian Gulf. Stamp: AE016.04. http://www.wnsstamps.ch/stamps/AE016.04/en.html

The Arabian Gulf serves as a nursing and feeding ground for female whale sharks. Image Credit: Illustration: Luis Vazquez/Gulf News. http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/environment/arabian-gulf-offers-safe-haven-for-whalesharks-1.516388

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Acquaintance Card: Majallet Al-Ghazzal (Gazelle Magazine): The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. Bonn, Germany. Shqae‟q Al-Nouma‟n (Anemone coronaria). A Quarterly Magazine Issued by the Program EAI (Education for Awareness and for Involvement). Environmental Education / Children for Nature Protection. In Cooperation with Dept. of General and Higher Education. P.L.O., Palestine.

Number 4. Huzairan (June) 1994. pp. 51-52. (In Arabic).

Khalaf-von Jaffa, Norman Ali B.(1995). Alasmak fi Filistin (Die Fische von Palästina / The Fishes of Palestine). Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin.

Number 33. Thirteenth Year. December 1995. Bonn, Germany. pp.1-35. (In Arabic).

Khalaf, Ali Bassam (1997). Amir Al-Bahar Al-Arabi (The Arabian Sea Prince) Shihab Al-Deen Ahmad Bin Majed. Magazin der Akademie. Nummer 1. Zu Elke‟da 1417 H, März 1997. König Fahad Akademie – Bonn, Bonn-Bad Godesberg, Deutschland. pp. 23-24. (In Arabic).

Khalaf-von Jaffa, Norman Ali (2004). Gazelle: Das Palästinensische Biologische Bulletin. Eine Wissenschaftliche Reise in Palästina, Arabien und Europa zwischen 1983 – 2004. / Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. A Scientific Journey in Palestine, Arabia and Europe between 1983 – 2004. Erste Auflage / First Edition, Juli 2004: 452 Seiten / Pages. Zweite erweiterte Auflage (Second Extended Edition), August 2004: 460 Seiten / Pages. Norman Ali Khalaf, BonnBad Godesberg, Germany. ISBN 3-00-014121-9. http://dr-norman-ali-khalafbooks.webs.com/ Khalaf-von Jaffa, Norman Ali (2005). Samak Al-Luchs (Al-Hamoor) or the Orange-Spotted Grouper (Epinephelus coioides) in Palestine (Mediterranean Sea) and the United Arab Emirates (Arabian Gulf). Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – Number 94 – October 2009

20 Bulletin. Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. Number 39, Twenty-third Year, March 2005. pp. 1-6.

Khalaf-von Jaffa, Norman Ali (2005). Jaffa (Yaffa): The History of an Old Palestinian Arab City on the Mediterranean Sea. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. Number 39, Twenty-third Year, March 2005. pp. 7-8.

Khalaf-von Jaffa, Norman Ali (2005). The Andromeda Sea Monster of Jaffa.

Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.

Number 39, Twenty-third Year, March 2005. pp. 8.

Khalaf-von Jaffa, Norman Ali (2005). The Jewfish (Epinephelus itajara) / Der Riesenzackenbarsch oder Judenfisch (Epinephelus itajara). Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. Number 39, Twenty-third Year, March 2005. pp. 9-12.

Khalaf-von Jaffa, Norman Ali (2005). The Arabian Freshwater Fishes in the Arabia‟s Wildlife Centre, Sharjah Desert Park, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.

Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. Number 40, Twenty-third Year, April 2005. pp. 1-9. Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. http://emiratiblind-cave-fish.webs.com/arabianfreshwaterfish.htm Khalaf-von Jaffa, Norman Ali (2005). Aquatica Arabica. An Aquatic Scientific Journey in Palestine, Arabia and Europe between 1980 - 2005 / Aquatica Arabica.

Eine Aquatische Wissenschaftliche Reise in Palästina, Arabien und Europa zwischen 1980 - 2005. Erste Auflage / First Edition, August 2005: 376 Seiten / Pages. Norman Ali Khalaf, Rilchingen-Hanweiler, Bundesrepublik Deutschland & Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. ISBN 3-00-014835-3. http://dr-norman-alikhalaf-books.webs.com/aquaticaarabica.htm Khalaf, N.A.B. (2005). The Schooling of Sumatra Barbs (Barbus tetrazona tetrazona) and Minnows (Phoxinus phoxinus). [M.Sc. Dissertation in Ecology, Departments of Zoology and Botany, University of Durham, England. September 1986. pps. 59 + iv]. In: Aquatica Arabica. An Aquatic Scientific Journey in Palestine, Arabia and Europe between 1980 - 2005. Erste Auflage, August 2005. Norman Ali Khalaf, Rilchingen-Hanweiler, Bundesrepublik Deutschland & Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. pp. 28-93.

Khalaf, Norman Ali (2005, 2006). Chapter 3: Geography, Flora and Fauna. Pages 32-39. In: Palestine: A Guide. By Mariam Shahin, Photography by George Azar.

Co-Author: Norman Ali Khalaf. Northampton, Massachusetts: Interlink Publishing Group, 2005, 2006. xi + 471 pages. Appendices to page 500.

Khalaf, Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (2006). Eine Persönlichkeit aus Jaffa, Palästina / A Personality from Jaffa, Palestine: Bassam Ali Taher Khalaf (Abu Ali) (1938-2006). Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. Number 56, Twenty-fourth Year, August 2006. pp. 8-19. Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. http://bassam-ali-taher-khalaf.webs.com/ Khalaf, Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (2007). Zum 1. Todestag : Eine Persönlichkeit aus Jaffa, Palästina / The First Death Anniversary : A Personality Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – Number 94 – October 2009

21 from Jaffa, Palestine : Bassam Ali Taher Khalaf (Abu Ali) (1938-2006). Gazelle: Das Palästinensische Biologische Bulletin. Nummer 62, Februar 2007, Muharram 1428 AH. Seite 11. Sharjah, Vereinigte Arabische Emirate. http://bassam-alitaher-khalaf.webs.com/ Khalaf-Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (Gründer) (seit Juni 2007). Yahoo! Deutschland Group: Fauna Palaestina. http://de.groups.yahoo.com/group/Fauna_Palaestina/ Khalaf-Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (Gründer) (seit August 2007). Haie – Sharks Yahoo! Deutschland Group. http://de.groups.yahoo.com/group/Haie_Sharks/ Khalaf-Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (Gründer) (seit September 2007). Yahoo! Deutschland Group: Fauna Arabica. http://de.groups.yahoo.com/group/Fauna_Arabica/ Khalaf-Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (2007). Haywanat Filistin (Fauna of Palestine). Wikipedia, Al-Mawsu'a Al-Hurra (The Free Encyclopedia). Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. Number 69, Twentyfifth Year, September 2007 CE, Sha‟ban 1428 AH. pp. 1-4. (in Arabic). http://ar.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D8%AD%D9%8A%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%86% D8%A7%D8%AA_%D9%81%D9%84%D8%B3%D8%B7%D9%8A%D9%86 Khalaf-Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (2007). A Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus, Smith 1828) caught off the Kuwaiti Coast: The Second Record from the State of Kuwait, Arabian / Persian Gulf. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. Number 71, November 2007. pp. 1-20. Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. (Abstracts in English and Arabic). http://whaleshark.webs.com/whalesharkinkuwait.htm Khalaf-Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (2007).

Rhiniodon typus Smith, 1828 or Rhincodon typus Smith, 1829: The Story of a Scientific Name. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. Number 71, November 2007. pp. 21. Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. http://whaleshark.webs.com/rhiniodontypus.htm Khalaf-Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (2007). Whale Sharks in Palestinian Waters: A Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus, Smith 1828) rescued near the Tantura Beach, Carmel Coast, North Palestine: The First Record from the Palestinian Mediterranean Coast. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. Number 71, November 2007. pp. 22-23. Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.

(Abstracts in English and Arabic). http://whale-shark.webs.com/ Khalaf-Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (2007). Whale Sharks in Palestinian Waters: Whale Sharks (Rhincodon typus, Smith 1828) near Um Al-Rashrash (Eilat) Beach, Gulf of Aqaba, South Palestine: First Records from the Palestinian Red Sea Coast. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin.

Number 71, November 2007. pp. 23-26. Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. (Abstract in English and Arabic). http://whale-shark.webs.com/ Khalaf, Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (2009). Zum 3. Todestag : Eine Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – Number 94 – October 2009

22 Persönlichkeit aus Jaffa, Palästina / The Third Death Anniversary : A Personality from Jaffa, Palestine : Bassam Ali Taher Khalaf (Abu Ali) (1938-2006). Gazelle: Das Palästinensische Biologische Bulletin. Nummer 86, Februar 2009, Safar 1430 AH. Seite 21. Sharjah, Vereinigte Arabische Emirate. http://bassam-ali-taherkhalaf.webs.com/ Khalaf-Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (2009). A Longcomb Sawfish (Pristis zijsron Bleeker, 1851) caught off the coast of Dibba, United Arab Emirates, Gulf of Oman. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. Number 88, April 2009, Rabi‟e Al Thani 1430 AH. pp. 1-14. http://dibba-sawfish.webs.com/ Khalaf-Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Dr.Sc. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (2009). Garra barreimiae wurayahi Khalaf, 2009 : A New Blind Cave Fish Subspecies from Wadi Al Wurayah Pools, Emirate of Fujairah, United Arab Emirates. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. ISSN 0178 – 6288. Number 90, June 2009, Jumada Al-Akhera 1430 AH. pp. 1-15. Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. http://emirati-blind-cave-fish.webs.com/ Khalaf-Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (2009). Flora and Fauna in Palestine. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. ISSN 0178 – 6288. Number 91, July 2009, Rajab 1430 AH. pp. 1-31. Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. http://flora-fauna-palestine.webs.com/ Khalaf-Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (2009).

Oreochromis mossambicus bassamkhalafi Khalaf, 2009 : A New Mozambique Tilapia Subspecies from Wadi Al Wurayah Pools, Emirate of Fujairah, United Arab Emirates. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. ISSN 0178 – 6288. Number 92, August 2009, Sha‟ban 1430 AH. pp. 1-25. Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. http://emirati-tilapia.webs.com/ Khalaf-von Jaffa, Dr. Norman Ali Bassam (2009). Fauna Palaestina – Part One. A Zoological Journey in Palestine, Arabia and Europe between 1983 – 2006 / Fauna Palaestina – Teil Eins. Eine Zoologische Reise in Palästina, Arabien und Europa zwischen 1983 – 2006. ISBN 978-9948-03-865-8. Erste Auflage/First Edition, September 2009: 412 Seiten/Pages. Self Publisher: Dr. Norman Ali Bassam Khalaf-von Jaffa, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates & Rilchingen-Hanweiler, Bundesrepublik Deutschland. http://dr-norman-ali-khalafbooks.webs.com/faunapalaestinapart1.htm Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher Khalaf-Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Zoologist, Ecologist and Geologist : The Scientific References (1980-2009). http://drnorman-ali-khalaf-references.webs.com/ Khalaf-Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (2009).

Bowmouth Guitarfish (Rhina ancylostoma Bloch & Schneider, 1801) at Sharjah Aquarium, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. ISSN 0178 – 6288. Twenty-seventh Year, Number 93, September 2009, Ramadan 1430 AH. pp. 1-18. http://bowmouth-guitarfishemirates.webs.com/bowmouthguitarfishuae.htm Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – Number 94 – October 2009

23 Khalaf-Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (2009). Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus, Smith 1828) Records from the United Arab Emirates between 1989 - 2009. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. ISSN 0178 – 6288. Twenty-seventh Year, Number 94, October 2009, Shawal 1430 AH. pp. 1-28.

Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. http://whaleshark.webs.com/whalesharkinemirates.htm Khalaf-Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (2010). Walhai / Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus) "Sammy", Palm Jumeirah Atlantis Hotel Aquarium, Dubai. 2. Januar 2010. Foto: Dr. Norman Ali Bassam KhalafSakerfalke von Jaffa. www.fotocommunity.de/pc/pc/display/21373351 Khalaf-Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (2010). Walhai / Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus) "Sammy", Palm Jumeirah Atlantis Hotel Aquarium, Dubai. 1. Februar 2010. Foto: Dr. Norman Ali Bassam KhalafSakerfalke von Jaffa. www.fotocommunity.de/pc/pc/display/21449033 Khalaf-Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (2010). Fauna Emiratus - Part One. A Zoological Journey in the United Arab Emirates between 2004 – 2009 / Fauna Emiratus – Teil Eins. Eine Zoologische Reise in die Vereinigten Arabischen Emirate zwischen 2004 - 2009. ISBN 978-9948-15-462-4.

Publishing Date : Summer 2010. http://dr-norman-ali-khalafbooks.webs.com/faunaemiratuspart1.htm Knights, Jamie (Oct 18, 2009). Whale shark targets Emirates Palace. www.hoteliermiddleeast.com/article-6102-whale-shark-targets-emirates-palace/ Landais, Emmanuelle (September 10, 2008). Whale Shark in Atlantis Hotel Aquarium to be Released. www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/sharks/InNews/atlantis2008.html Landais, Emmanuelle (Staff Reporter) (September 27, 2008). Falling shark population a concern. Gulf News. http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/environment/falling-shark-population-aconcern-1.133175 Landais, Emmanuelle (October 19, 2009). Arabian Gulf Offers Safe Haven For Whale Sharks. www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/sharks/InNews/arabian2009.html & http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/environment/arabian-gulf-offers-safehaven-for-whale-sharks-1.516388 Landais, Emmanuelle (Staff Reporter) (March 18, 2010). Sammy the whale shark freed in Dubai. Gulf News. http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/environment/sammy-the-whale-sharkfreed-in-dubai-1.599693 Landais, Emmanuelle and Piers Grimley Evans (Staff Reporters) (17.07.2005).

Whale shark seeks way out of Dubai waterfront. Gulf News. http://archive.gulfnews.com/articles/05/07/17/173323.html Longboat Key News (19. June 2010). Mote tracks Dubai whale shark. www.lbknews.com/2010/06/19/mote-tracks-dubai-whale-shark/ Mirza, Zaigham Ali (24. September 2003). Whale shark sighted in Dubai Marina Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – Number 94 – October 2009

24 channel. www.khaleejtimes.com/Displayarticle.asp?section=theuae&xfile=data/theuae/2 003/september/theuae_september607.xml Nayeem, Sanya (Community Journalist) (October 21, 2008). Sammy the Shark gets drawn to attention. Gulf News. http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/environment/sammy-the-shark-getsdrawn-to-attention-1.51131 Persian Gulf sharks face extinction. www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=91116&sectionid=351020205 Pound, Dr. Geoff (Thursday, October 30, 2008). Whale Shark at Dubai Atlantis Hotel Making Waves Around the World. http://experiencingtheemirates.blogspot.com/2008/10/whale-shark-at-dubaiatlantis-hotel.html Protests over Dubai's Atlantis hotel keeping whale shark (10. February 2009). www.dailytelegraph.com.au/travel/news/protest-over-hotels-giant-fishtank/story-e6frezi0-1111118798711 Randall, Dr. John E. (1986). Sharks of Arabia. (The primary purpose of this book is to provide for the identification of the 44 sharks which are known to live in the seas and gulfs which surround the Arabian Peninsula). London, IMMEL Publishing, 1986. 148 pages. ISBN: 0-907151-09-4. [Dr. John E. Randall is a well established ichthyologist and prolific author, with a particular interest in the Red Sea. This excellent volume covers the biology of the region's sharks, evolution history, man's involvement with sharks - and follows with a classification of the species found].

Rejoice! Sammy the Shark No Longer a Prisoner of Atlantis Dubai. www.hotelchatter.com/story/2008/10/27/10544/663/hotels/Rejoice_Sammy_t he_Shark_No_Longer_a_Prisoner_of_Atlantis_Dubai Sammy The Whale Shark Still In Captivity (Sunday, February 8, 2009). http://seychelles-whale-sharks.blogspot.com/2009/02/sammy-whale-sharkstill-in-captivity.html Save Sammy the Shark. www.richardbradley.net/shotsinthedark/2008/10/24/save-sammy-the-shark/ Shark spotted off Mamzar beach park. http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/general/shark-spotted-off-mamzarGazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – Number 94 – October 2009

25 beach-park-1.126174 Sharpe, Zac. Marine Life of the UAE. www.alshindagah.com/september99/arabianwildlife.htm Stafford-Deitsch, Jeremy. Shark‟s Gallery. www.arabianwildlife.com/archive/vol1.1/shark.htm Stevens, J. D. (2007). Whale shark (Rhincodon typus) biology and ecology: A review of the primary literature. Fisheries Research, Volume 84, Issue 1, March 2007, Pages 4-9. Whale Sharks: Science, Conservation and Management - Proceedings of the First International Whale Shark Conference, First International Whale Shark Conference. www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6T6N-4MC81M13&_user=10&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&_docanchor=&view=c&_searchSt rId=1147819769&_rerunOrigin=google&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0 &_userid=10&md5=fe671cbcfe76a533f1407403add25d6e Stevens, Vance (2003). Vance's Personal Dive Log for the year 2003., P.A.D.I. Open Water SCUBA Instructor #64181. www.homestead.com/prositesvstevens/files/divelogs/dives2003/logs2003.html Tauchplätze Vereinigte Arabische Emirate. Martini Rock Fujairah. www.taucher.net/edb/Martini_Rock_Fujairah_o8376.html Taylor, Geoff. (December 1994). Whale Sharks - The Giants of Ningaloo Reef.

Harpercollins; 1st ed edition. 176p.

The Palm Specialists. Gentle Giant Visits Palm Jumeirah. www.palmspecialists.com/jum_etnews.html Todorova, Vesela (September 21. 2009). Fresh calls for whale shark‟s release. www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090921/NATIONAL/709209888/1 139 Whale Shark at hotel in Dubai. www.panda.org/about_our_earth/aboutcc/problems/people_at_risk/personal_stories /?uNewsID=147441 Whale Shark 'Rescued' and taken to Atlantis Palm Aquarium – Dubai (September 9, 2008). www.nowpublic.com/world/whale-shark-rescued-and-taken-atlantis-palmaquarium-dubai Whale Shark Stamp, United Arab Emirates. Date of Issue: 26. September 2004. Set: Endangered and Extinct Marine Animals of the Arabian Gulf. Stamp: AE016.04. www.wnsstamps.ch/stamps/AE016.04/en.html Whale shark targets Emirates Palace (Oct 18, 2009). www.hoteliermiddleeast.com/6102whale-shark-targets-emirates-palace/ Whale Shark to be held Captive Indefinitely ... what a surprise! (October 6, 2008). www.nowpublic.com/world/whale-shark-be-held-captive-indefinitely-what-surprise Whale Shark Visits Dubai Marina. http://masaoodmarine.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=13&Itemi d=47 Wheeler, Julia (Sunday, 19. October 2008). Dubai hotel urged to free shark. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sci/tech/7678780.stm Wikipedia. Whale shark. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whale_shark You Tube. Whale Shark Martini Rock (6. June 2009). www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZVsgrv2osc

Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – Number 94 – October 2009

26 ‫أسماك قرش الحوت مهذدة باإلنقراض في المياه العربية‬ www.albayan.ae/servlet/Satellite?c=Article&cid=1250780029187&pagename=Albayan %2FArticle%2FFullDetail

‫ إخراج سمكة القرش الحوت من مرفأ المارينا‬www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgcC_ponjyg ‫حوت القرش يتعافى في أطلنتس النخلة بعذ إنقاره‬ www.arabianbusiness.com/arabic/530614 ‫ صور لقرش الحوت في مياه الكويث‬www.arabdivers.net/news.php?action=show&id=88

Sharks. www.ibtesama.com/vb/imgcache2/59537.gif

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The First Arabian Seas Whale Shark Research Symposium & Workshop Start Time: Friday, December 11, 2009 at 9:00 a.m.

End Time: Saturday, December 12, 2009 at 6:30 p.m.

Location: Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort, Fujairah, United Arab Emirates

“Free Sammy the Shark” Gulf News Poster. www.gulfnewsonline.com/polopoly_fs/1.382782.1246959417!image/1957456171.jpg

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Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – Number 94 – October 2009