Save the Whale Shark -Kerala and Lakshadweep

The Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus) is the largest fish on earth growing to approximately 18 m in length and weighing as much as 21 metric tons. Although widely distributed across tropical and warm temperate seas, limited information is available on the population trends of this species, especially along the Indian coastline.

Global status

Unregulated fishing practices to meet international trade demands for fins, liver oil, skin, and meat, accidental entanglement in fishing nets, collision with boats, as well as extensive coastal pollution, are attributed as major threats to whale sharks. IUCN reports that whale shark populations are decreasing and its global status is ‘Endangered’.

Whale Sharks in India

The whale shark is found all along the Indian coast, but the largest aggregation occurs off the coast of Gujarat. A survey identified five whale shark aggregations along the Indian coastline. For the protection of this big fish, Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) in collaboration with eminent filmmaker Mike Pandey (who won a Green Oscar for his film Shores of Silence) lobbied with the Indian Government. As a result, in 2001, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) listed the whale shark in Schedule I of the Indian Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, granting the species the highest level of protection. Efforts by India and the Philippines in lobbying for the protection of the species among international groups paid off in the year 2003, leading to its inclusion in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna, and Flora (CITES).

Dignitaries with the Inflatable mascot at Milagres Hall Complex at Mangalore, Karnataka| Photo by Madhumay Mallik /WTI

Conservation Background

In 2004, a survey conducted by WTI revealed that only 19% of fishers in Gujarat, a key area for whale shark fisheries, were aware of the poaching issue and the protected status of whale sharks. The same year, WTI launched the ‘Save the Whale Shark Campaign’ to raise awareness of its protected status and stop illegal killings among the local fishing community. This multifaceted campaign featured a life-sized inflatable whale shark, street performances, painting competitions in schools, conservation-themed fetes, an educational film, and public events supported by a prominent religious leader.

Whale shark conservation along the Gujarat coast has seen remarkable success. With the initiation of this project, intentional killings of whale sharks stopped entirely. To date, fishers have voluntarily rescued and released 954 whale sharks that were accidentally entangled in fishing nets. This project stands out as one of the successful projects where the Public-Private partnership for marine megafauna conservation yielded the best result with the active support of community participation.

Inflatable Whale shark mascot at Milagres Hall Complex; Photo by Madhumay Mallik

Inflatable mascot at Milagres Hall Complex| Photo by Madhumay Mallik / WTI

Save the Whale Shark Campaign –Kerala & Lakshadweep Island

The Gujarat whale shark conservation project also aimed to study the movement pattern of this migratory fish using satellite tracking. It was evident that whale sharks were utilizing the territorial waters of other coastal states and the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of bordering countries in the Arabian Sea. This information was crucial, as the other coastal states were not practising whale shark-friendly fishing methods. To safeguard a fish that moves a large distance requires the cooperation of coastal states coastal communities and various government departments.

Acknowledging this need, WTI with the support of IUCN conducted a survey along the West Coast (excluding Gujarat) in 2012-13. The survey revealed that the highest number of whale shark sightings (outside the Gujarat coast) were near the Lakshadweep waters (with 28% of fishers reporting sightings). Literature survey shows that whale shark landings and strandings are largely reported from Kerala as fishers often go to Lakshadweep waters to fish, and the high incidental landings can be attributed to this fact.

In 2017, WTI initiated a Whale Shark Conservation Project in Kerala and the Lakshadweep Islands with the support of Cochin Shipyard Ltd. Just over a year into the project, in 2018 the first-ever whale shark was rescued and released by fishers of North Kerala (Malapuram). This marked a significant milestone for the initiative. The second rescue and release was recorded in January 2020 from Calicut, Kerala.

Whale Shark Campaign Launch Mangalore, Karnataka | Photo by Madhumay Mallik /WTI

Save the Whale Shark Campaign along Kerala and Lakshadweep

Conservation efforts across various states have assured the safety of whale sharks, but the actions need to be extended along the Indian coastline. To ensure their continued protection, in 2022, WTI launched the “Save the Whale Shark Campaign along Kerala and Lakshadweep” in collaboration with ORACLE India Pvt. Ltd. The project aims to address the threats to whale sharks such as accidental entanglement and pollution. To curb accidental entanglements, WTI is partnering with the Fisheries Department, Department, and the Fishers Association of the relevant states. The project continues in the states of Kerala, and Lakshadweep with fishers coming together to rescue and release 23 whale sharks accidentally entangled in fishing nets.

Additionally, the rising plastic debris in our oceans has been a major environmental concern, negatively impacting marine life. As filter feeders, whale sharks are particularly vulnerable to this threat. To combat this issue, WTI is working with local communities to create a cleaner marine environment for these magnificent fish.

PARTNER: VST Industries, Kerala Forest & Wildlife Department.

PROJECT LEAD: Saymanti B