Let me take you on a journey to the ocean’s most magnificent gentle giant—the whale shark. Towering in size yet peaceful in nature, these creatures inspire awe and wonder. But today, their survival is threatened as our oceans face relentless challenges. This is a story of hope, determination, and a team working tirelessly to conserve them.

Ever since I pursued my master’s degree in Zoology, I dreamed of joining an organisation dedicated to conservation. That dream became a reality when I joined the Wildlife Trust of India’s Whale Shark Conservation Project. However, stepping into this new role was no easy feat. As someone who had always lived in the city, adapting to the rhythms of coastal life proved challenging. Even more daunting was building connections with the fisherfolk, whose way of life felt worlds apart from my own, leaving me uncertain about how to bridge the gap.    

Fortunately, my predecessors who had been working in Kerala since 2017, had already built strong relationships with the local fishers. Among them was my colleague Ajith, who hails from the same community and played a crucial role in guiding me through those early, uncertain days. 

With his support, conversations grew easier, and I gradually began to feel a part of this world. Each morning, we would visit harbours along Kerala’s coast, where fishermen have spent their lives working and living. These bustling hubs were ideal for connecting with larger groups, providing the perfect setting to start conversations and share the message of whale shark conservation.

The Whale shark conservation project has been operating in Kerala since 2017 | Photo by Jithin/WTI

Most fishermen were unaware of how to rescue whale sharks if they accidentally became entangled in fishing nets. As we travelled from one harbour to another, we listened to their stories about encounters with these magnificent beings. One story from Kasaragod, located at the northern tip of Kerala, particularly stood out. The fishermen there regularly witnessed whale sharks but had never experienced an accidental entanglement. They respected the gentle giants, allowing them to swim freely in their waters. It was a powerful lesson in coexistence that deeply moved me. During a sensitisation program in Kasargod, I had the opportunity to speak with the oldest and most experienced fisherman in the harbour. He shared an interesting observation: whenever there is a sighting of a whale shark, they tend to have a good yield, catching a significant amount of fish while casting their nets.

As a newcomer to the job, the constant travel felt overwhelming at first. However, with each passing day, my passion for whale sharks deepened.  Travelling across Kerala’s coastline, spanning 590 kilometres from Thiruvananthapuram to Kasaragod, I fully immersed myself in the mission. Our efforts bore fruit—within a month of my joining, five whale sharks were rescued, including the first-ever reported rescue in Thrissur district.  As we moved through the harbours, we realised that there are certain areas where sensitisation programs need to be more focused because, over the years, our previous team had not had the chance to reach certain places where whale sharks were sighted, leaving a gap in awareness that we aimed to fill.

The active participation of the fisher community has helped make this project a success | Photo by Jithin/WTI

The journey was not without its moments of doubt. I often wondered if the fishermen would accept me, an outsider, into their tightly-knit community. However, those fears melted away as I witnessed their warmth, curiosity, and growing awareness. WTI has given me the privilege of not just working towards safeguarding whale sharks but also connecting with people whose lives are deeply intertwined with the sea.

Looking back, I realise how much this experience has changed me in just three months. Over the seven years of this campaign, perceptions have shifted—not just among the fishermen, but also among policymakers. I hope to carry this momentum forward, continuing to inspire change and work tirelessly to protect these gentle giants. The ocean holds countless stories, and I’m grateful to be part of one that’s still unfolding.