In Dubai, rescuers were awarded who helped a whale shark swimming in a narrow strait in the city.
The team that saved the whale shark swimming in Dubai Creek earlier this month was awarded by the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE).
At a special ceremony in Dubai, the general contribution to the success of the operation was noted by representatives of the Ministry, the Dubai Police and the Marine Environment Protection Association.
The rescue operation began immediately after receiving reports of eyewitnesses who noticed a three-meter shark in the waters of the Dubai Creek Strait, passing through almost the entire city ...
A team of experienced divers and MOCCAE Department of Biodiversity Department employees have developed a rescue plan with minimal risk, given the fact that the shark could be scared and aggressive.
The employees who were entrusted with the rescue were divided into three groups on board two boats. Only five hours later, they managed to transport the shark to the Persian Gulf.
Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al-Zeyudi, Minister for Climate Change and the Environment, praised the role played by all participants in the operation to protect one of the most important marine species in the UAE.
He said: “In accordance with its UAE Vision 2021 strategy and plan, MOCCAE is committed to maintaining the sustainability of the marine environment and preserving the biodiversity of the local environment.”
"The ministry also aims to raise awareness of the importance of protecting sharks in light of the sharp increase in catch, mainly because of the high cost of shark fins and shark meat, which negatively affects their populations and threatens their extinction, especially in East Asia." he added.
Earlier this year, MOCCAE launched the National Shark Conservation and Maintenance Plan for 2018-2021, which presents concrete steps to conserve and maintain 72 species of sharks and stingrays that inhabit the territorial waters of the UAE.
