Whale Shark Found Dead In Arabian Sea, Reeled Into Harbor In Karachi, Pakistan (PHOTOS, VIDEO)

A 40-foot whale shark was brought into harbor in Karachi, Pakistan on Tuesday, Feb. 7. after reportedly being found unconscious in the Arabian Sea about 10 days ago, the Express Tribune reports.

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Fishermen used several cranes to lift the whale shark to dry land, where a crowd of onlookers gathered to see the massive creature.

The whale shark carcass was later sold for 1.7 million rupees (nearly $19,000), ABC News reports.

After a 2005 assessment, the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources declared the global whale shark population was vulnerable, MSNBC observes.

For many years, whale sharks have been highly sought after by harpoon fisheries in Southeast Asia, where people primarily used the fish for meat and oil. However, it is now illegal to hunt whale sharks in several countries, including India and the Philippines.

Habitat damage has proven to be another threat to the whale shark population, according to the Whale Shark Project, a conservation awareness group. Pollution and overfishing near reefs often leads to a reduced available food supply for the creatures.

In an effort to help protect the animals, some businesses have turned to ecotourism to educate people about the sharks and their environment.

However, some tourists said expeditions often felt more "commercial" than educational, according to a VERA Files report.

Whale sharks are the world's largest fish, often growing to 40 feet or greater in length, National Geographic explains. Typically found swimming in warm, tropical waters, whale sharks are generally docile creatures.

Nevertheless, longtime fisherman Allan Amanse warns that getting too close to whale sharks might not be a good idea.

"Whale sharks are really amazing animals. They are very gentle. But people should remember that they are wildlife animals and feeding them could pose more harm than good," Amanse is quoted as saying in a VERA Files article.

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Comments

[CancunGuidebook]

11:20 AM on 03/21/2012

I only hope that this whale shark's death can help raise awareness, and attract more attention to these amazing fish. Last year we took our family with http://www.swimwithwhalesharks.com to swim with whale sharks near Cancun, Mexico. We learned so much and how there is a dire need for more International protection of the whale sharks, from fin poachers. If more isn't done to protect them, I fear that they can become extinct.

[AMINO ACIDS]

11:25 AM on 10/28/2012

FOUND DEAD IN THE OCEAN???? As in we purposely killed it and then it was dead???? is amazing creature had survivedthe mouths of humans for 60-70 years before it was so evilly turned into a spectacle? How will this event enlighten anyone except to the diabolical, highly suspect loophole invented by the people responsible for killing it?

[Arlene Clapp]

04:15 AM on 02/16/2012

This is so sad. This fish probably died as the fisherman caught him and hoisted him up on the ship. Of course he died. It is cruel. It saddens me to se this. Arlene Clapp

[Yasser Yousufi]

02:34 AM on 02/11/2012

http://www.dawn.com/2012/02/11/museum-team-supervises-dissection.html

[Yasser Yousufi]

02:28 AM on 02/11/2012

http://www.dawn.com/2012/02/09/researchers-to-find-out-cause-of-whale-sharks-death.html

[Yasser Yousufi]

02:27 AM on 02/11/2012

http://www.dawn.com/2012/02/10/whale-shark-preservation-planned.html

[Yasser Yousufi]

02:22 AM on 02/11/2012

Some update on the Whale Shark to add perspective to this story. It now appears Rs 1.7 million story was a fabrication. The fisherman 0.5 million out of which 0.2 million were paid for the crane expense. The Carcass is now with the Zoological Department for preservation and would be a part of the museum since this is one of the heaviest fishes ever found (a whopping 15 Tonnes!!). It now appears that the wheels of justice are finally moving. The Fisherman are being investigated regarding their "catch" and as of now their permits to go fishing have been cancelled.

http://www.dawn.com/2012/02/11/travel-permit-of-whale-shark-fishermen-seized.html

http://www.dawn.com/2012/02/11/travel-permit-of-whale-shark-fishermen-seized.html

[dgdyhff09]

04:15 PM on 02/10/2012

I'm sure they did find it dead after they killed it.

[sheriju]

03:05 PM on 02/10/2012

Take a look at the blood in the still pictures. Hmmmm....natural causes?

[raremar]

04:15 PM on 02/10/2012

I read the article three times looking for the cause of death and all it says is that the animal was "found unconscious in the Arabian Sea." Very odd they don't address that issue at all and no information is provided either about who bought it for 19K. As a piece of journalism this article is very unprofessional but I also smell a rat...oops!...a fish... in this whole deal.

[RDVarley]

02:40 PM on 02/10/2012

If you haven't been to the Atlanta Aquarium, you should check it out. They have two or three whale sharks and you can actually dive in their tank and get up close to them. Beautiful and gracefull. One of the best aquariums in the country.

[suzabellawilliam]

02:29 AM on 02/11/2012

so true, the best place to visit

[StopMakingSense2]

01:33 PM on 02/10/2012

Sushi for everyone!

[Samuel Huntington]

11:45 AM on 02/10/2012

Your stimulus dollars at work.

[Samuel Huntington]

11:43 AM on 02/10/2012

I love footage like this:

It is straight out of the 3 Stooges go fishing.

Everybody comes out from the village to see the big fish, Manny Moe and Jack fire up the gasoline powered crane. Everybody yells a l l a h a k b a r. A bunch of guys are in the water standing on, holding and tying a rope around the shark tail The crane strains and they are able to get about 20% of the shark out of the water. Then the video ends!

You know the next thing to happen is either the crane falls into the harbor, or the rope breaks and whips into the surrounding crowd, killing or maiming 3-4-5 or so people. Too bad... will of God.

Next you know,an impromptu fillet party breaks out as enthusiastic crowd members jump in the water and start to butcher the catch, so large chunks can be lifted out of the water by the inadequate crane (that is if it didnt already also jump in the water).

You didnt need to be a swami to figure out that one.

[AppleKaur]

12:10 PM on 02/10/2012

You are too funny! LOL! YOu should write for DListed

[Samuel Huntington]

01:03 PM on 02/10/2012

Yes inspiration comes from strange places.

You can not make this kind of stuff up... it writes itself.

I exaggerate for the effect, but I have a feeling that what I wrote is close to the truth of the matter.

anyway, thank you for you nice comment. I will see what I can come up with on the next installment of truth is stranger than fiction

[Samuel Huntington]

01:07 PM on 02/10/2012

Truth be known, the shark was probably unconscious as the capt probably rammed it.

If you have ever seen a basking shark or whale shark in the water, they move slow and would be an easy target

[suzabellawilliam]

02:31 AM on 02/11/2012

what a great wit!!

[poppyCa]

11:33 AM on 02/10/2012

Look at the water quality in the photos, swim any where near there and go belly up.

[gfgarv]

11:10 AM on 02/10/2012

God forbid they leave the thing alone. They're like savages with King Kong.

[AMINO ACIDS]

11:16 AM on 10/28/2012

Savages is exactly the term that came to mind. I'm disgusted by this. I'm disgusted at the celebration that this bautiful amazing creature is dead.

[Mr Lingus]

10:28 AM on 02/10/2012

Coming to a fast food restaurant near you...fish sandwich anyone??

[Samuel Huntington]

11:31 AM on 02/10/2012

not even that.

The meat of most shark is not palatable due to high urea content. Many species taste like ammonia.

So the meat is turned into animal feed or fertilizer and the oils are extracted for various purposes.

Note: even types of shark such as thresher and mako that are better tasting should not be consumed by men on a regular basis due to the urea problem. It is the same reason that people dont regularly eat horse meat.