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  Tuesday 7 Oct, 2008

No plans to release caught whale shark
Environmentalists have hit out at the management of Atlantis hotel for performing an apparent U-turn by deciding to keep a whale shark caught off Jebel Ali.
On September 9, the luxury resort issued a press release to say its marine experts had rescued a struggling four-metre whale shark.
The statement went on to say that the female animal had been taken to the hotel’s 11-million-litre lagoon “for medical care and observation” - with no mention of a permanent capture.
However, earlier this week, the resort’s managing director Alan Leibman reportedly said there were no plans to release the juvenile whale shark back into the wild.
Ibrahim Al-Zu’bi, environmental advisor for Emirates Diving Association, says he has seen the whale shark and believes it should be put back into the Arabian Gulf.
“It should be tagged and released, the sooner the better,” he told 7DAYS.
“I know Atlantis is under pressure at the moment because they have only just opened, but we’ve been told they would release the whale shark.
“They are using it for educational awareness. But they will have to release it because it can grow up to more than ten metres - it’s common sense.”
Al-Zu’bi also made reference to two other whale sharks which mysteriously died last year in Georgia Aquarium, in the United States.
“I do not think this will be good propaganda to see another whale shark upside down in its aquarium,” he said,
“We are definitely against keeping whale sharks.”
One visitor to Atlantis said: “I think it’s disgusting that they are using this poor creature as a tourist attraction.
“It should be released back into the wild where it belongs and as soon as possible.”
And Ali Hood, director of conservation at UK-based Shark Trust, added: “We certainly would not support any venture that would use a whale shark merely as a financial attraction.”
Despite calls to Atlantis for an explanation into the future of the whale shark, the hotel was unavailable for comment.
Whale sharks are the world’s largest fish and can grow up to 15 metres in length.
Very little is known about the gentle animals that feed on plankton and small fish that they filter into their wide,
flat mouths.
Whale sharks are listed as a vulnerable species by The World Conservation Union and are protected by CITES (Convention for the International Trade of Endangered Species).
Heavy fishing of the whale shark in several areas of Asia is believed to be one reason for its population decline.
paul.mclennan@7days.ae






































 
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Comments

...and even after this appalling news, even many people opposed to them keeping this whale shark are still going to still justify visiting The Atlantis just "for the experience" of seeing it when everyone should all be boycotting the place. the moment I heard they were bringing dolphins I already knew I was going to forever boycott them. This story of the whale shark just disgusts me even more. "Educational awareness" my butt. I hope other people do boycott this place also.
Posted by :  Twizzle      On :  Tuesday 7 Oct, 2008
 
This is yet another appalling tool for someone to make a "quick buck" at the expense of an innocent creature. I'll definitely be boycotting the Atlantis, and I've informed CITES (an agreement of which the UAE is a signatory, by the way), WSPA and various other international animal welfare agencies.
Posted by :  ZeTallGerman      On :  Tuesday 7 Oct, 2008
 
It shows the management of Atlantis to be gutless and dishonest. They supposedly captured the shark because it had some 'unspecified' illness and needed treatment. They should have been honest and said that they have no interest in environmental protection at all and are simply interested in running a tacky circus attraction. So much for a high-class hotel... if the rulers of this country want to ensure animal welfare and respect of the natural world as they appear to, they need to get on the phone and order these circus clowns to let this animal return immediately to its home - the open sea.
Posted by :  flackie      On :  Tuesday 7 Oct, 2008
 
Nice work ZeTallGerman, for contacting those bodies. Hopefully that will stir them up enough to release the whale shark.
Posted by :  7 days fan      On :  Tuesday 7 Oct, 2008
 
doesn't the aquaventure park have a ride which takes u thru a tunnel from where u can see sharks or some damn fish outside...! so how is that different than keeping a whale shark for research purposes or petty entertainment...?
Posted by :  heady      On :  Wednesday 8 Oct, 2008
 
I find really disappointing that the management of Atlantis has not set a time table to release the animal. i think the only solution is to hit the owners and execs. of Atlantis in there back pocket and simply not pay your hard earned money to visit the hotel and its related attractions. This along with the mounting BAD publicity the hotel is currently recieving would pressure the hotel to see what there doing is morally wrong...lets see
Posted by :  Hoofhearted      On :  Wednesday 8 Oct, 2008
 
If you so strongly oppose the capture of the whale, why not also then make a noise about all aquariums including Dubai, they most often keep whales including other endangered species apart from just the regular dolphin. Boycott Zoo's, Lions are endangered, elephants too.. I'm in no support of the capture of wild animals, but think the public is making too much fuss about a controlled situation and the media should rather focus on real animal / human abuse issues.
Posted by :  Sandman      On :  Wednesday 8 Oct, 2008
 
There is a campaign against Atlantis and for releasing the whale shark ongoing in Facebook already. Bad publicity for Atlantis is spread worldwide already. Dubai is doing itself no favour with endangered species in captivity and sewage on tourist beaches...
Posted by :  Jebel Ali Baba      On :  Wednesday 8 Oct, 2008
 
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