Over 50 Sharks of Diverse Species Unite in Qatar's Waters

Over 50 Sharks of Diverse Species Unite in Qatar Waters

In Qatar's waters, a remarkable discovery has been made: over 50 sharks, comprising various species, were spotted. Authorities have declared this gathering as the largest assembly of diverse shark species in the country. Moreover, among these sharks, three species are listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List.
This extraordinary finding was the result of a field expedition to Qatar's northern marine regions conducted by a research team from the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change's Protection and Natural Reserves Sector. The Ministry has shared comprehensive information about this discovery, accompanied by a video showcasing the remarkable congregation of sharks on its social media platforms.

The Ministry's concerted efforts to safeguard biodiversity and protect endangered species have resulted in this remarkable congregation of diverse shark species within the country," affirmed the Ministry.

The Regional Whale Shark Conservation Centre (RWSCC), an environmental conservation organization, shared details of this unique encounter, mentioning that their research team made the discovery on September 4, 2023. The assembly included several species, notably the "Common Blacktip Sharks (Carcharhinus limbatus), Graceful Sharks (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchoides), and Spinner Sharks (Carcharhinus brevipinna)," all of which are categorized as vulnerable in the Arabian Gulf region by the IUCN. Hence, safeguarding these sharks in Qatar is of paramount importance.

The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change further explained that the presence of these shark species is a natural phenomenon, driven by the abundance of food sources, such as sardines, which flourish during this time of the year.

Moreover, to reassure sea enthusiasts, the Ministry emphasized that these shark species are peaceful and do not pose any threat, dispelling the common misconception of their danger.