What Middle East Conflict Could Mean For The World’s Largest Whale Shark Gathering

Northern Qatar’s Al Shaheen hosts one of the world’s largest seasonal whale shark aggregations, with about 600 individuals recorded at peak in 2023.

Whale sharks converge there from April to September to feed on tuna eggs and plankton concentrated by regional currents and eddies.

Rising maritime risks and confirmed strikes in the Strait of Hormuz have increased instability near this feeding ground, raising contamination and displacement risks for the sharks.