Thiruvananthapuram,11th November 2024: As a testament to community-led conservation, local fishermen from Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala stepped up to rescue two whale sharks caught in fishing nets, successfully returning them to the sea.

On November 9, 2024, a 16-foot-long whale shark rescue was found entangled in a fishing net off the coast of Muthalapozhi. Led by local fisherman Mr. Jibin B, a team of 50 fishermen worked together to safely carry out the rescue operation.

Shortly after, on November 10, around 1:00 AM, a juvenile whale shark became entangled in a fishing net in Anjuthenga. Mr. Andrew Anthony, a local fisherman, took swift action by cutting the nets to free the distressed animal, ensuring its safe return to the sea.

These rescues mark the beginning of the post-monsoon whale shark rescue season and bring the project’s total to 26 successful releases.

Recognised as a vital keystone species in our marine ecosystem, the whale shark is protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972 and listed as ‘Endangered’ in the IUCN Red List.

These rescues highlight the ongoing efforts of the ‘Save the Whale Shark Campaign’ led by the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), in collaboration with the Kerala Forest Department and Fisheries Department, and supported by VST Industries Limited.

The campaign seeks to empower the fishing community to respond positively and become more vigilant in reporting sightings and incidents involving whale sharks. This shift is profound, considering that once upon a time, fisher folk along the west coast of India engaged in hunting whale sharks at their aggregation sites, engaging in commercial trade. Today, accidental entanglements in fishing nets, collisions with boats, and rampant coastal pollution have emerged as major threats to the survival of these gentle giants.

Mr. Andrew Anthony, the fisherman who rescued the whale shark, said, “I’ve been a fisher for half my life, and I’ve seen whale sharks before out in the open sea. I recently learned about this campaign, so when I found one tangled in my net tonight, I knew I had to step up and save its life!”

Sajan John, Marine Specialist at WTI, said, “By saving this magnificent creature, the fishers not only demonstrated their commitment to marine life conservation but also showcased the positive impact of education and community involvement in safeguarding our oceans and their incredible inhabitants.”

Read more about WTI’s ‘Save the Whale Shark Campaign’