title: Whale sharks, Rhincodon typus, aggregate around offshore platforms in Qatari waters of the Arabian Gulf to feed on fish spawn.
abstract: Whale sharks, Rhincodon typus, are known to aggregate to feed in a small number of locations in tropical and subtropical waters. Here we document a newly discovered major aggregation site for whale sharks within the Al Shaheen oil field, 90 km off the coast of Qatar in the Arabian Gulf. Whale sharks were observed between April and September, with peak numbers observed between May and August. Density estimates of up to 100 sharks within an area of 1 km(2) were recorded. Sharks ranged between four and eight metres' estimated total length (mean 6.92 ± 1.53 m). Most animals observed were actively feeding on surface zooplankton, consisting primarily of mackerel tuna, Euthynnus affinis, eggs.
authors.affiliation: Herriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, United Kingdom. sharkwatcharabia@gmail.com
authors.forename: David P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.forename: Mohammed Y
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Jaidah
authors.forename: Rima W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Jabado
authors.forename: Katie
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lee-Brooks
authors.forename: Nehad M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Nour El-Din
authors.forename: Ameena A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Al Malki
authors.forename: Khaled
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Elmeer
authors.forename: Paul A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: McCormick
authors.forename: Aaron C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Henderson
authors.forename: Simon J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Pierce
authors.forename: Rupert F G
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Ormond
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D009792:Oceans and Seas; D010933:Plankton; D011156:Population Density; D011780:Qatar; D012621:Seasons; D012754:Sharks