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Whale Shark Spotted in Israeli Mediterranean for the First Time
24 Oct
Summary
- Whale shark sighted off Ashdod beach, a first for Israel's Mediterranean coast
- Confirmed by scientists as only the third such sighting in the entire Mediterranean
- Whale sharks are the world's largest fish, growing up to 14 meters long
On 2025-10-22, just two days before the current date of 2025-10-24, swimmers at an Ashdod beach in Israel were left awestruck by the sight of a huge fin surfacing nearby. Authorities were immediately alerted, and they proceeded to clear the water and document this unexpected marine visitor.
After examining the video footage recorded at the beach, scientists from the University of Haifa's Morris Kahn Marine Research Station confirmed that the animal was a whale shark. This marked the first-ever verified sighting of a whale shark in Israel's Mediterranean waters, and only the third such observation in the entire Mediterranean region.
Whale sharks are the planet's largest fish, commonly measuring 12 to 14 meters (39 to 46 feet) in length and living beyond 100 years. Despite their massive size, these ocean giants are harmless to humans, feeding exclusively on plankton, small fish, and miniature crustaceans. The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists whale sharks as an endangered species, making each confirmed sighting a valuable contribution to scientific research and conservation efforts.
Researchers believe this particular whale shark likely swam through the Suez Canal before arriving in Israeli waters. The documentation from beach cameras and eyewitness accounts provides scientists with crucial information about the travel corridors and habitats of these threatened marine creatures, which is essential for shaping effective conservation strategies.
