As part of its efforts to preserve endangered species, the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MoECC), represented by the Nature Protection and Reserves Sector, has announced the publication of the first global catalogue of whale sharks in Qatar and the Arabian Gulf region.
The comprehensive reference publication documenting the characteristics of these rare marine creatures, will be launched at the Doha International Book Fair, which will be held from May 8 to 17.
The catalogue documents more than 300 individually recognised whale sharks, with detailed data on their body size, wounds, scars, spots and distinctive patterns. It reveals that the rate of injuries among these sharks has increased from 15% in 2022 to more than 50% in 2023, reflecting the urgent need for effective protection measures.
This publication aims to provide comprehensive and updated information on whale sharks, which are classified in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, in addition to classifying them according to their physiological specifications and monitoring the challenges they face, as they are an essential element in the balance of the ecosystem.
