A snap shot of The mako shark which was spotted near the coast of Quseir in the Red Sea after being captured by the local fishermen. Photo courtesy of social media.
The criticism came after videos circulating widely on social media since Friday showed fishermen and residents chasing and capturing a roughly three-metre-long mako shark near the shoreline in the Red Sea resort town of Quseir.
The shark’s appearance had sparked concern among residents and beachgoers before local fishermen managed to catch it without any reported injuries.
In a statement issued Saturday, the institute said the shark’s appearance near the shoreline should have prompted a scientific response rather than pursuit and random capture, stressing that such marine behaviour can result from natural environmental factors including food searches, navigational disorientation, stress, or injury.
The statement followed the circulation of videos and photos on social media showing crowds chasing and eventually capturing the shark, scenes that the institute said violated proper environmental and scientific standards and turned the incident into what it described as a “spectacle.”
NIOF also criticized the manner in which the shark was reportedly dissected after its capture, emphasizing that scientific examination of large marine animals requires integrated procedures including biological documentation, precise measurements, tissue analysis, sample preservation, and internal examination linked to the environmental context of the case.
NIOF Chairperson Abeer Ahmed Mounir stressed that interactions with large marine species, especially sharks, must follow clear scientific protocols involving specialized environmental and research bodies rather than individual improvisation that could harm the marine ecosystem or trigger unnecessary public panic.
She added that the Red Sea is among the world’s most important and biodiverse marine ecosystems, noting that sharks play a critical role in maintaining ecological balance within marine food chains. She warned that sensationalized media coverage and the circulation of dramatic footage without scientific context contribute to misconceptions about sharks.
Ahmed Wahballah, head of the institute’s Red Sea branch in Hurghada, said the mako shark is a fast-moving species commonly found in open waters and has been previously recorded in various parts of the Red Sea.
He explained that its temporary appearance near shorelines may be linked to environmental or behavioural factors and should be addressed through monitoring and study rather than killing or collective pursuit.
The institute also called for raising awareness among citizens and workers in tourism and marine sectors on how to act when encountering large marine animals, urging people to immediately notify relevant authorities rather than approach, chase, or harm such creatures.
Amgad Shaaban, assistant professor of fisheries biology and shark specialist at the institute’s Red Sea branch, said scientific indicators visible in the circulating footage—including body colour, dorsal fin shape, tail fin structure, and head formation—strongly suggest the shark belonged to the mako species.
He dismissed claims circulated online identifying the animal as a reef shark or blacktip shark.
Shaaban stressed that the presence of sharks near beaches does not necessarily pose a direct threat to humans, noting that shark attacks remain rare and are usually linked to exceptional circumstances. He added that sharks are a natural part of the marine ecosystem, while humans remain visitors to that environment, making adherence to environmental guidelines essential.
The institute called for stronger coordination between environmental authorities, research institutions, local administrations, and executive bodies to establish a clear mechanism for dealing with similar incidents in the future in ways that protect both humans and marine life.
It concluded by stressing that protecting the marine environment and preserving biodiversity in the Red Sea are both national and scientific responsibilities that require responsible conduct from all parties involved.
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