Whale shark in Dubai Marina sparks debate

Social networking sites are abuzz over this video claiming to show a whale shark in the waters off Dubai Marina.
 
The video, which shows the whale shark swimming peacefully in the waters has prompted many social media users to site the video as “advertising propaganda to attract tourists”.

A whale in Dubai Marina? Impossible. #ImpossibleDubai pic.twitter.com/knrq7wHQIu

— Visa Middle East (@Visamiddleeast) January 7, 2016

Some suggest the video is a hoax set up with three-dimensional video technology.

Whale Shark chilling at Dubai Marina pic.twitter.com/GY4fOtvh5l

— Khalid | خالد (@kharta3) August 27, 2015

‘Al Bayan’ has carried a report citing a whale shark in fact seen in the waters of the Marina district in August 2015.
 
According to Al Bayan, shark sightings in UAE waters are as follows:
 
August 28, 2008: Whale shark, four metres in length seen near Jebel.
 
May 26 2007: Shark was spotted at Mamzar beach.
 
February 7, 2007: Shark spotted at Port Zayed in Abu Dhabi.
 
June 25, 2006: Shark in Dubai Marina.

July 15, 2005: Whale shark in Dubai Marina.
 
August 16, 2003: Shark 3 metres in length in Dubai Creek.
 
January 15, 2003: Whale shark in Ras Al Khaimah water.
 
March 3, 2004: Shark off the coast of Ras Al Khaimah.
 

Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.