Whale shark found in Prachuabkirikhan

[PeteC]

A small diversion from our usual mundane and depressing news. Is Don Samran beach near Hua Hin? Pete

"Villagers and wildlife activists yesterday untangle a whaleshark from a fishing net and set it out to sea at the Don Samran beach in Prachuap Khiri Khan province. ..." The Nation

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[buksida]

Is Don Samran beach near Hua Hin?

Very unlikely with that water clarity. Good to see they freed the beast though and didn't cook it up. Kudos

[PeteC]

A secondary observation....that water is beautiful! Wherever it is in the province, I want to visit. Pete

[STEVE G]

I think it's down past Ban Krut somewhere.
Incidentally, I was down Dolphin Bay a couple of weeks ago and the water was an attractive blue colour for a change, I think it's just due to the silt having a chance to settle if conditions are calm for a while.

[pitsch]

[buksida]

Yes, the water is gin-clear down there, some pics of the area can be viewed here: http://bankrutinfo.com/bankrut-photos.php

[PeteC]

Here's a related article from the Bangkok Post from 10 months ago. It seems the whale sharks like the area. Pete

Sharks spotted off the beach

* Published: 2/07/2009 at 12:00 AM
* Newspaper section: Horizons

Two whale sharks, one measuring 10 metres the other six, were spotted some 30 metres off the beach at Ban Nhong Mongkol in Prachuap Khiri Khan recently.

The sightings, made on three consecutive days, were reported by a local fisherman, Nintr Srimuang, last Thursday.

"I often see whale sharks when out fishing in the sea, but this was the first time that I spotted them from the beach," he said. They were seen swimming in the direction from Ban Nhong Mongkol to Ban Don Samran Beach in Tambon Mae Ramphung of Bang Saphan District.

Supot Songsiang, who belongs to the Mae Ramphung Conservation Group, said their appearance showed that the sea around this area was rich in plankton, the main food of whale sharks.

The shark is a filter feeder and can grow up to 12 metres and live for 70 years.

The area where the creatures were spotted is only one kilometre from a steel mill and Supot, wary of further industrial activity in the area, said, "We would like to preserve our natural environment for fishery and tourism purposes, rather than see it laid waste by industrial contamination."

[PeteC]

OK then, just for everyone's info from those experienced. Is the water better along the beach we're talking about and in the Ban Krut area, or around the headland in Bangsaphan? Pete

[Randy Cornhole]

Beautiful creature. Reminds me of my diving days...

[buksida]

OK then, just for everyone's info from those experienced. Is the water better along the beach we're talking about and in the Ban Krut area, or around the headland in Bangsaphan? Pete

The water at the Ban Krut beach is better than the BS beach for about 70% of the year however the water out at the islands (Koh Talu, Sing, Sang) round the BS side is better than BK.

[sandman67]

I take it they dont taste good, otherwise it would have ended up in a pan

[Khundon1975]

You would need a bloody big pan.

Now you know how that 5 loaves and 2 fishes trick worked.

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[Randy Cornhole]

Imagine the size of the burger...

[PeteC]

I hope they choke on it. Further, a variety of shark meat is/was available in Hawaii grocery stores. It doesn't taste good. A distinct strong flavour that is not enjoyable. I guess if you boil it enough and add a few buckets of vegetables, herbs and sauce, it passes for soup and protein. Pete

[migrant]

Some shark is real tasty. Mako sharks were sold as swordfish in many restaurants, that was supposedly put to a stop by authorities.

Thresher shark is sold in most California markets and is great on the bar b que!!