Sensitising fisherfolk on India’s west coast to support whale shark conservation
Kerala, The whale shark, the largest fish in the world, migrates along India’s west coast. Despite being listed as a Schedule I species under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, this magnificent fish faces numerous threats, such as accidental entanglement in nets, collisions with boats, and heavy coastal pollution.
To address these issues, the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) launched its Whale Shark Conservation Project, focusing on the coasts of Kerala and Lakshadweep. The primary objective of this project is to ensure the safe release of whale sharks accidentally caught in fishing nets, preventing these gentle giants from harm.
In Kerala, the conservation journey has reached its seventh year. As part of the awareness campaign, WTI has conducted over 36 sensitisation events in partnership with the Kerala Forest & Wildlife Department and with support from VST Industries. These efforts have focused on enhancing the capacity of fishers, especially in harbours covering 590 kilometres along the coastline. Over 15,000 community members, including various stakeholders, have been sensitised about the importance of whale sharks and the need for their conservation.
These events saw participation from fishermen, boat captains, vendors, trade union workers, harbour authority representatives, coastal police, community leaders (such as panchayat heads and members), political representatives, and even three prominent religious heads. The locations for these events were strategically chosen, focusing on major whale shark landing sites and prominent harbours that drew large crowds. To capture attention and spark meaningful discussions, the team would arrive early in the morning with a life-sized inflatable whale shark, using it as a centrepiece to emphasise the species’ importance, the need for conservation, and how every individual could contribute to saving these magnificent creatures.
As the campaign progressed from the southern part of Kerala to the northern regions, the fishing practices observed were notably different, adding depth to the team’s experience. During recent discussions with fishers, one notable encounter was shared where three whale sharks were accidentally caught in fishing nets and subsequently released by the fishers. In several instances, fishers have proactively reached out to the team to contribute to conservation efforts, without seeking any incentives in return. To date, these fisher folks have released 31 whale sharks that were accidentally entangled across Kerala.
In addition to these events, the campaign has been actively engaging youth and children from fisher communities across nine coastal districts by conducting training sessions in schools. These initiatives are part of a larger vision to transform India’s coast into a safe haven for whale sharks.