Whale sharks are known not to survive in captivity - due to the fact it is impossible to replicate the diet and environment required by a pelagic filter-feeding shark. A study of 16 whale sharks kept at the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium in Japan, one of the few facilities where the rare fish are exhibited, showed their average life expectancy was less than two years. In the wild, whale sharks can grow to up to 20 metres during a life that can last 60 years.

Dr Rowat, who has spent years studying whale sharks, says there is no reason for this animal not to be released, and that there are factors which favour this happening as soon as possible one of which is that it is important that any release should be during the season when whale sharks frequent the area which is now.

In an interview with Business Breakfast on 24 September 2008, Atlantis confirmed that they would release the whale shark in due course, however have not yet acted upon this promise. Keeping this whale shark at the hotel is unacceptable and whilst the hotel management would not comment, many visitors to the aquarium seem unaware of the whale sharks' plight.

As the world's largest living species of fish, Sammy should be roaming free and travelling vast distances instead of being confined to a small area. This species is known to dive to depths as great as 1,000 metres, something which is certainly not an option for this young whale shark.

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