Qatar Whale Shark Forum.pdf

9.00 – 8.30: Registration
9.10 – 9.00: Official forum presentation by Mr. Jassim Al-Ray
9.20 – 9.10: Speech by the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, H.E. Sheikh Dr. Faleh bin Nasser bin Ahmed Al-Thani
9.30 – 9.20: Dialogue session
10.00 – 9.30: Honoring sponsors and group photo
10.25 – 10.05: Exhibition of whale shark photos by Mr. Azam Al-Mana'i
10.30 – 10.25: Presentation by Dean Muhammad Al-Jidah on whale shark research in Qatar
10.45 – 10.30: Presentation by Mr. Sharankumar Baid on the success story of a targeted campaign to protect whale sharks on the west coast of India
11.05 – 10.50: Presentation by Dr. Muhammad Rafeeq on some facts about the biology of whale sharks collected from the coast of Karachi, Pakistan in 2012
11.25 – 11.10: Presentation by Dr. Muhammad Ali Nawaz on assessing the status of whale sharks in Pakistan
11.45 – 11.30: Presentation by Dr. Brian Chen Wing-kot on using diagnostic ultrasound to characterize the internal anatomy of sharks
12.05 – 11.50: Presentation by Mr. Darren Janssen Van Vuuren and Mr. Angus on responsible tourism and whale sharks in Qatar
12.25 – 12.10: Lunch break
13.30 – 12.30: First session
13.50 – 13.35: Presentation by Dr. Hsu Hua-hsun on the appearance and migration of whale sharks from Saudi waters to the Arabian Gulf
14.05 – 13.50: Presentation by Prof. John Man Kon Wong on studying whale sharks in the proposed marine area by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change
14.20 – 14.05: Presentation by Dr. Jess Cochran on using multiple methods to understand the environment of whale sharks in the Red Sea and beyond
14.35 – 14.20: Presentation by Prof. Tariq Al-Qahtani on Saudi Arabia's efforts to conserve whale sharks
14.50 – 14.35: Presentation by Muhammad Al-Qarni on Oman's efforts to conserve whale sharks
15.00 – 14.50: Break
15.15 – 15.00: Presentation by Dr. Fayza Al-Yamani on protecting endangered whale sharks in Kuwaiti waters
15.30 – 15.15: Presentation by Ms. Aisha Al-Marhoun on conservation efforts for whale sharks in Kuwaiti waters
15.45 – 15.30: Presentation by Mr. Ali Mansour Abbas on managing and regulating whale sharks in Bahraini waters
16.00 – 15.45: Presentation by Ms. Majd Al-Harbi on protecting and managing whale sharks in the UAE
16.30 – 16.00: Final recommendations
17.00 – 16.30: End of the first day's activities and return to the guests' accommodation
17.45 – 17.00: Second session
20.00 – 20.30: Honoring the minister and speakers at Fuwairit Beach Resort
20.30: Dinner party attended by the minister
23 May 2023:
05.00 – 16.00: Marine trip to whale shark gathering areas in Qatar (subject to weather conditions)