Whale Sharks, Rhincodon typus, Aggregate around Offshore Platforms in Qatari Waters of the Arabian Gulf to Feed on Fish Spawn

This study aims to determine the total length and scar condition of the body of whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) in Cendrawasih Bay National Park (TNTC), Papua-Indonesia. Photo-identification was used to identify individuals of the whale shark R. typus based on spot patterns behind the last gill slit of each individual. Photo-identification was also used to determine the scar of the whale shark. The total length of whale sharks were estimated based on the length of a snorkeller (assumed to be 1.6 m) swimming alongside the whale shark. We identified 21 individuals of R. typus. Of these 21 individuals, 14 were new sightings and seven were re-sightings that have been recorded in the previous photo collection database. R. typus ranged in size from 2 to 5 m total length (average 3.78 m, ±0,86, N= 21). Based on their size, all individuals of whale shark were categorized as juvenile. 52% of R. typus identified had scars and 38 % were not and 10% were unknown. The majority of whale sharks had amputation (12 individuals) and abrasion (7 individuals) scars. Scars occurred most often on the caudal fin and dorsal fin, five and four individuals respectively. This information is useful for understanding potential threats and designing better management programmes for R. typus conservation in TNTC.

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Installation of Long Span Boat Landing on Float Over Platforms - A Case Study

10.2118/207787-ms ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Charles John George ◽

Cibu Varghese ◽

Faris Ragheb Kamal

Keyword(s):

Production Process ◽

Energy Absorption ◽

Arabian Gulf ◽

Offshore Platform ◽

Offshore Platforms ◽

Long Span ◽

Heavy Lift

Abstract Fixed offshore platforms are normally provided with landing platforms that enable berthing of supply vessels, crew boats etc. These landing platforms or ‘Boat landings’ are energy absorption structures provided on substructures (jackets) of offshore platforms. Their purpose is to facilitate personnel access from vessel to platforms for performing various tasks including manning the platform, its maintenance etc. Vessel also approach the platforms for providing supplies in case of a manned platform and for providing bunkers, spares etc. As such, boat landing is an integral part of offshore platform and its design and installation becomes equally important. They are preferably located at leeward direction as far as practical, to avoid accidental vessel drift into the platform. For smaller standalone offshore platforms installed with Heavy Lift Crane Vessels, boat landing is installed after the jacket is piled to seabed. Since sequence of installation of boat landing is prior to that of Topside, such installations are straightforward and without obstructions from the Topside. For the bigger accommodation, production, process platforms located in super-complex (or standalone) with topsides installed by float over method, boat landings sometimes are in the wide float over barge slots. In such cases, installation of boat landing becomes very critical due to the post installation after the Topside and associated obstructions from the Topside. This is similar or more critical than a boat landing removal / refurbishment activity carried for a brownfield project. This paper explores the challenges and associated steps adopted to execute the safe installation of these critical structures underneath a newly installed Topside. This case study details the installation of ∼300mt boat landings onto recently installed Greenfield platforms in Arabian Gulf using efficient rigging, suiting the EPC Contractors’ crane assets.

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Evidence of continued hunting of whale sharks Rhincodon typus in the Maldives

Environmental Biology of Fishes ◽

10.1007/s10641-009-9541-0 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 86 (3) ◽

pp. 371-374 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Morgan J. Riley ◽

Adam Harman ◽

Richard G. Rees

Keyword(s):

Rhincodon Typus ◽

Whale Sharks

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