A whale shark measuring approximately 16 feet was spotted in the Gulf of Eilat on Friday morning, according to a statement from the Eilat municipality, marking another rare appearance of the world’s largest fish in waters near Israel, Ynet reported.

Municipal officials said lifeguards on Eilat’s northern beach identified the animal within the past hour and launched a kayak into open water to verify the sighting.

After approaching the animal, they confirmed it was a whale shark, a species considered harmless to humans. The municipality emphasized that the shark poses no danger to swimmers.