Doha, Qatar: As part of its efforts to preserve endangered species, the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MECC), represented by the Nature Protection and Reserves Sector, has published the first global catalogue of whale sharks in Qatar and the Arabian Gulf region, as a comprehensive reference documenting the characteristics and health status of these rare marine creatures.
The catalogue will be launched at the Doha International Book Fair, which will be held from May 8 to 17, 2025.
The Ministry said that this achievement is an important step in the field of scientific research, monitoring the marine environment and increasing environmental awareness, and reflects Qatar’s commitment to preserving biodiversity and protecting marine life in the Arabian Gulf. The catalogue documents more than 300 individually recognized 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.
