Endangered Whale Shark Spotted in Gulf of Eilat

The International Union for Conservation of Nature classifies the species as endangered.

By Shula Rosen

A whale shark measuring approximately 16 feet was spotted in the Gulf of Eilat on Friday morning, according to a statement from the Eilat municipality, marking another rare appearance of the world’s largest fish in waters near Israel, Ynet reported.

Municipal officials said lifeguards on Eilat’s northern beach identified the animal within the past hour and launched a kayak into open water to verify the sighting.

After approaching the animal, they confirmed it was a whale shark, a species considered harmless to humans. The municipality emphasized that the shark poses no danger to swimmers.

Whale sharks are rarely observed in the region. Although the species is not aggressive, authorities noted its appearance drew attention due to its size and conservation status.

At maturity, whale sharks can reach lengths of 12 to 14 meters and weigh more than 20 tons, making them the largest fish on Earth. They feed primarily on plankton, small fish, and tiny crustaceans.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature classifies the species as endangered.

The sighting in Eilat follows several recent encounters involving whale sharks in waters near Israel and the eastern Mediterranean.

Until 2021, no verified whale shark sightings had been recorded in the Mediterranean Sea. That year, one was filmed near Turkey. Another was later caught in a tuna net off Ceuta, North Africa, in December 2022.

Last year, a whale shark was also seen in Israeli waters before making its way south to Gaza, where it was later reported killed.

The animal, named “Ofek” by a conservation organization, was filmed near the Khan Yunis area with crowds of Palestinians surrounding it and dragging it along the shore with ropes. Reports from Gaza at the time described the animal as measuring about 10 meters long.

Ofek was the first whale shark documented along Israel’s Mediterranean coastline. Prior to reaching Gaza, it had been spotted by swimmers near Ashdod and Netanya.

During earlier uncertainty over whale shark sightings, beaches in Haifa were temporarily closed last fall while authorities sought to identify the creature involved.