Discovery Channel Makes a Splash With ‘Arabia's Sharks: a Journey of Discovery'

Captivating one-off documentary details shark conservation, research and breeding efforts from across the Arab World

Dubai, UAE, September 8, 2016:  Increasingly, over recent years attention has been drawn to the decline in shark numbers globally. In the Arab world, this is no different, as the region begins to undergo a process of learning and policy changes regarding the threats facing its native shark population. 

Premiering on Discovery Channel on Saturday 10th September at 20:00pm KSA time, ARABIA'S SHARKS: A JOURNEY OF DISCOVERY, follows Paul Hamilton, Curator and General Manager of Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, as he and his team take viewers on a voyage of discovery featuring shark stories from across the Arab world including the UAE, Qatar, Oman, and Egypt; in order to understand the diversity and importance of these largely unexplored waters.

The one-off documentary will see Paul as he plans, prepares and constructs the official “Discovery Channel Shark Week” exhibit, which opened its doors in July at the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo. This world-first exhibit was developed to stimulate local awareness and promote educational exposure about these misunderstood animals. 

Throughout the film, the audience will be allowed unique access to a series of trips conducted by Paul as he heads out into the field and gathers information for the exhibit and the collection of sharks that will join the aquarium, journeying as far as Florida. Travelling to a number of Arabia’s shark hotspots including The Red Sea, Arabian Sea and Arabian Gulf, Paul meets up with key scientists and researchers, from regional NGO’s and Arab conservation authorities engaged in the protection of sharks, focusing on the species present, the region’s emerging scientific research and most importantly, the local conservation issues.

Viewers will also get a fascinating insight into a pioneering new Sand Tiger Shark captive breeding programme being conducted at the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, using artificial insemination techniques developed by scientists at the Melbourne Sealife Aquarium in Australia, which it’s hoped will help safeguard the conservation of this species in Arabian waters.  

With a captivating contrast between Arab culture and rarely seen marine wildlife, all filmed on Canon cameras, Arabia's Sharks: A Journey of Discovery will shine a light on the untold shark stories of the Middle East and bring forward questions regarding the future of these amazing animals and those fighting to protect them.
Join the action when ARABIA'S SHARKS: A JOURNEY OF DISCOVERY premieres on Saturday 10th September at 20:00 KSA time on Discovery Channel, OSN channel 500.