Today's Edition
Mays Ibrahim (ABU DHABI)
SeaWorld Yas Island in Abu Dhabi has transformed into a hub of shark-themed activities as it hosts Shark Week, a celebration aimed at deepening public understanding of these majestic marine creatures. Running until Sunday, the event features a blend of educational sessions, conservation efforts, and interactive entertainment.
Speaking with Aletihad, Rob Yordi, General Curator at SeaWorld Yas Island, highlighted the objectives of Shark Week, which places an emphasis on dispelling myths about these “often misunderstood” marine predators through educating visitors on shark behaviour, conservation challenges, and their role in maintaining ocean health.
The week-long event includes a variety of activities designed to engage and educate guests. Among these are special talks and educational presentations by marine experts, offering insights into shark biology and conservation. The Shark Week Passport initiative guides guests through five interactive stations where they can learn fascinating facts about sharks and earn stamps for completing tasks.
Visitors also have the unique opportunity to observe different shark species up close in their habitats within the park. A major highlight is the installation of a massive 60-foot-long inflatable whale shark, showcased daily from 1:30 pm to 6:00 pm at the One Ocean realm.
Critical Role of SharksYordi explained that Sharks play a significant role in maintaining ocean ecosystems, supporting biodiversity, healthy fish populations, and economic activities.
“As top predators, sharks help regulate the populations of other marine species, maintaining the balance of the ecosystem. They control the populations of their prey, which in turn influences the populations of the prey’s prey, and so on, creating a cascading effect throughout the food web.”
Some shark species even help maintain the health of seagrass beds and coral reefs by, for example, controlling the populations of herbivorous fish and sea turtles, according to Yordi.
He further noted that the unique physiological and biological characteristics that sharks enjoy make them valuable assets for scientific research. “Studying sharks can lead to discoveries in fields such as medicine, evolutionary biology, and marine ecology.”
Threats Facing SharksAccording to Yordi, shark populations are faced with critical threats, including overfishing, shark finning, habitat destruction, climate change, and the demand for shark-derived products.
He pointed out that coastal development, pollution, and destructive fishing practices can lead to the degradation of the habitats that sharks rely on for breeding, feeding, and shelter. Moreover, changes in sea temperature, ocean acidification, and altered current patterns impact shark populations by affecting their habitat, prey availability, and reproductive cycles.
Shark Week at SeaWorld Yas Island coincides with the global annual themed programming by the Warner Bros. Discovery Channel, with SeaWorld Yas Island, Abu Dhabi serve as the main sponsor this year.
