Gujarat’s fisher community honoured for whale shark conservation efforts
ver 300 participants, including coastal students, fishermen, marine department representatives, media, and conservationists were in attendance | Photograph by WTI
Dr. K. Ramesh, IFS, CCF of the Junagadh Circle, expressed that it is inspiring to witness how 20 years of dedicated efforts to protect the whale shark have culminated in success. He emphasised that we are the guardians of these gentle giants and have a responsibility to preserve them for future generations. Looking ahead, he announced plans for satellite tagging of whale sharks this year, in collaboration with WTI, to enhance understanding and support future conservation.
Dr. Dhaval Vargiya, Deputy Manager at TCSRD/ C-SCAPES, commended the unique two-decade-long collaboration between the Gujarat Forest Department, WTI, the fishing community, and Tata Chemicals Limited (TCL). He highlighted this partnership as an exemplary model of conservation, noting that it stands as one of the longest-running public-private partnerships in the field.
The event honoured six Fishermen’s Association leaders from Mangrol, Sutrapada, Veraval, Chorwad, Hirakot, and Dhamlej for their significant contributions to the whale shark conservation project. Over 300 participants, including coastal students, fishermen, marine department representatives, media, and conservationists were in attendance.
WTI’s Sahil Choksi addressing the audience during International Whale Shark Day celebration at Mangrol, Gujarat | Photograph by WTI
Mr. Sahil Choksi, Joint Director of WTI, said, “Instilling a sense of pride in fishers for their role in whale shark conservation is essential, as their efforts are crucial to the success of these initiatives.”
Mr. Farukhkha Bloch, Project Manager & Head, WTI said, “Our efforts have received greater support and co-operation from the Forest Department and fisher communities of Gujarat which makes this conservation success nationally awarded and internationally recognised.”
Adding a touch of visual splendour, a life-sized inflatable Whale shark graced the occasion, serving as a vivid reminder of the awe-inspiring beauty that requires our steadfast protection.
Revered as a crucial keystone species within our marine ecosystem, the Whale shark can attain lengths of approximately 18 metres and boast a weight of up to 21 metric tonnes. Although the Whale Shark thrives across tropical and warm temperate seas in various corners of the world, our comprehension of its population trends, especially along the Indian coastline, is regrettably limited.
International Whale Shark Day celebration in Mangrol, Gujarat
Until 2001, the whale shark was ruthlessly hunted along the Gujarat coast to meet international demand for shark fins, liver oil, skin, and meat. This brutal exploitation was brought to light by the Green Oscar-winning documentary ‘Shores of Silence’ by Mike Pandey. In response to the alarming decline, the whale shark was listed under the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, on May 28, 2001, becoming the first fish to receive such protection. This landmark decision resulted from the ‘Whale Shark Conservation Project ‘launched by the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), Tata Chemicals Ltd (TCL), and the Gujarat Forest Department aimed at safeguarding the species along the Gujarat coast. Remarkably, the project has facilitated the return of 952 whale sharks (as on March 2024) to their natural ocean habitat, all thanks to the unwavering dedication of fishermen who have joined this noble cause.
