DANNY MOK DANNY.MOK@SCMP.COM
PUBLISHED : Monday, 31 August, 2015, 7:00am
UPDATED : Monday, 31 August, 2015, 9:31am
Watch: Whale shark found in Cheung Chau with rope around its tail
The decomposing body of a suspected whale shark, a rare species in local waters, was found off the Cheung Chau coast.
The five-metre creature was spotted about 50 metres off the island by Cheung Chau resident Dan Carew. He reported the sighting to the police shortly before 7pm yesterday.
The marine police later located the decomposing body near a coastal area off Cheung Chau Peak Road West.
Carew told the media he saw the shark floating off the sea at sunset and immediately left his home to check it. It was later washed closer to the coast.
Carew said there was a nylon rope around its tail.
After studying the pictures and a video provided by Carew, the Ocean Park Conservation Foundation said it was a whale shark, characterised by its square head and pectoral fins.
Move the arrow to view the approximate location where the shark was found
A spokeswoman said the foundation could not tell how it died and would try to learn more from the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department.
“It’s very likely a shark, and possibly a whale shark … but you have to take a look at it closely before you can confirm that,” said Dr Samuel Hung Ka-yiu, chairman of the Dolphin Conservation Society.
He said the largest known extant fish species was rare in local waters, although there had been occasional sightings.
On July 20, a five-metre whale shark was spotted in the sea off Tung Lung Chau in Sai Kung by a local fisherman. It later disappeared.
In July 2012, multiple sightings of a suspected whale shark were reported in Lamma, Stanley and Sai Kung. Hung said the local waters were not a good feeding ground for whale sharks, which were more common in nearby regions.
“They are not harmful at all. You can say they are one of the most docile sharks,” Hung said.
http://m.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/1853994/decomposing-whale-shark-found-cheung-chau-hong
