Rescue mission in Qatari waters frees a shark from a tightly wrapped rope around its tail

In a scene that combines the beauty of marine life with the danger of waste left by humans, Qatari wildlife photographer Azzam Al-Manaei, along with a number of his friends, managed to rescue a whale shark off the Al-Shaheen oil field in Qatar after a long rope had wrapped around its tail (watch the video above). The incident occurred on June 23, 2026, during the season when whale sharks gather in Qatari waters to feed.

The team had gone out to sea specifically to document marine life. Al-Manaei said that he initially spotted what appeared to be a floating sea rope with the current, before realizing upon closer inspection that it was connected to one of the whale sharks.

In an interview with Ufaq News in Arabic, he said: "It was difficult to see this majestic animal struggling because of something that does not belong in the ocean." He added that the team quickly realized the necessity of intervening, but cautiously, so as not to injure the animal during the rescue.

The process of freeing the shark took about 20 minutes. Three people, in addition to the boat's captain, took on specific roles to ensure coordination while approaching the animal and attempting to remove the rope.

After several attempts, the team succeeded in freeing its tail and safely removing the rope. The Qatari wildlife photographer noted that the incident reveals a different aspect behind the beauty we see in the marine environment.

He explained: "There is often an ugly side hiding behind the beauty we see in nature," pointing out that fishing lines, ropes, nets, plastics, and other waste can turn into a deadly threat to marine creatures. The importance of photography for Al-Munai is not limited to documenting the moment; it extends to conveying its message. He affirmed: "If a picture can raise awareness, open the door for dialogue, and ultimately encourage real action, then photography can become part of protecting what we are privileged to document."