A rare species of shark was found caught in a fishing net in Pho Pho Kyauk beach in Nyawpyin village, Longlon Township, Dawei district in Taninthayi region on October 29.

The animal, part of the family of whale sharks, was about 15 feet in length and about six feet in width. Fishermen had released into the sea, sources said.

“I heard about it from social media. The whale shark was released by the fishermen on October 29 after accidentally capturing it. We are inquiring more about it. The shark only eats small fish. The locals also caught one whale shark in November last year and it was released too. They knew that it was a rare species of shark,” said Aung Tin Saw, head of fishery department in Longlon.

The fishermen reportedly went through some difficulties trying to untangle the shark from their fishing nets. The whale sharks are frequently found along Dawei coast. They get near to the beaches often as while they search for their diet of small fishes and prawns.