Fishermen in Pakistan have reeled in a dead 12m whale shark which they found floating off the coast of the port city of Karachi.
PHOTOS: Fishermen reel in giant whale shark
It took several cranes four hours to pull the seven-tonne fish ashore as hundreds of onlookers gazed on at Karachi Harbour, Pakistan's Express-Tribune reported.
"It was dead when my men found it," boat owner Muhammad Yousuf said.
Fisheries dealer Qasim Niazi bought the shark for 200,000 rupees (A$2000), and plans to charge viewers to see it at a local auction house.
Karachi Fish Harbour Authority officials say the shark's fins could then be sold in China, where they are considered a delicacy.
Shark liver oil is also used to make special medicines and lubricate the bottom of boats.
While considered a threatened rather than endangered creature, the size of whale sharks means they are not particularly common.
The largest fish in the world, they are a protected species under Australian law.
The gentle giants are not known to harm humans and eat mostly plankton.
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