30th August, 2024, Thiruvananthapuram: On the occasion of International Whale Shark Day, Hon’ble Minister for Forests and Wildlife, Govt. of Kerala, Shri. A.K. Saseendran felicitated local fishers for their heroic efforts in rescuing and releasing endangered whale sharks entangled in fishing nets. The event was hosted by the Kerala Forest & Wildlife Department, Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) and VST Industries in Shangumugham, Trivandrum.

The Hon’ble Minister for Forests and Wildlife, Shri. A.K. Saseendran inaugurated the event in the presence of esteemed dignitaries including Adv. Mr. Antony Raju Hon’ble MLA, Thiruvananthapuram, Mr. Sanjayan Kumar IFS, CCF, Social Forestry, Kerala Forest Department, Mr. Jose Louies CEO, Wildlife Trust of India, Dr. Shoba Joe Kizhakudan, Principal Scientist & Head, FFD, ICAR-CMFRI, Mrs. Seraphine Fredy Thiruvananthapuram Corporation Councillor, Ward 89, Shangumugham, Mr. Barns Benedict Poonthura, Fisherman Representative, Mrs. Irene Teacher, Thiruvananthapuram Corporation Councillor, Ward 87, Valiyathura and Mr. Sajan John Co-Principal Investigator, Marine Projects, Wildlife Trust of India.

The Hon’ble Minister for Forests and Wildlife, Shri. A.K. Saseendran honours local fishers for rescuing and releasing whale sharks in Kerala | Photograph by Sreenanth K/WTI

Three local fishers—Mr. Sibil M from Kovalam, Mr. Halaudeen from Vettukad, and Mr. Abdul Rehman from Thumba—along with their teams, were honoured by the Hon’ble Forest Minister for their dedicated efforts in rescuing and releasing whale sharks entangled in fishing nets.

This was followed by a technical session focused on stakeholder consultation for the long-term conservation of whale sharks including panellists—Dr. Surya S, a scientist from the Vizhinjam Regional Centre of ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute; Mr. Gopan Mathruka, an environmentalist; Mr. Ajith Shangumugham, a fisherman and vlogger; Dr. Shoba Joe Kizhakudan, Mrs. Seraphine Fredy, Mr. Barns Benedict, and Mrs. Irene Teacher. The session was chaired by Dr. Sanjayan Kumar, IFS, CCF, Social Forestry, with Mr. Jose Louies, CEO, WTI, serving as Co-Chair.

The celebrations are also being conducted across schools and colleges in Kasarkode, Mallapuram and Kozhikode by the Kerala Forest & Wildlife Department, WTI and VST Industries.

Shri. A.K. Saseendran, Hon’ble Minister for Forests and Wildlife, highlighted WTI’s ‘Whale Shark Conservation Project’ as a key example of marine life protection and growing public engagement. He urged citizens to participate in conservation efforts, stressing that protecting the environment is a shared responsibility.

The Minister further announced the government’s commitment to developing a long-term whale shark conservation plan to protect the species and maintain marine ecological balance. Additionally, he proposed creating a comprehensive network of government, NGOs, and local communities to enhance conservation efforts, drawing on Kerala’s successful model to protect biodiversity and support marine-dependent livelihoods.

Over 100 participants attended the Int’l Whale Shark Day celebrations in Trivandrum hosted by Kerala Forest & Wildlife Department, Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) and VST Industries | Photograph by Sreenanth K / WTI

Adv. Mr. Antony Raju Hon’ble MLA, discussed the significant challenges fishermen face due to recent changes in the marine environment, which have adversely affected their livelihoods and the exportation of marine products. He stressed the need for urgent measures to support the fishing community as they navigate these difficult times.

Mr. Sanjayan Kumar IFS, CCF, Social Forestry emphasised the significance of today’s event in highlighting the importance of Schedule I species conservation. Whale sharks, listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, are frequently spotted along the Kerala coast but pose entanglement risks to local fishers. To address this, the Forest Department, in collaboration with WTI is raising awareness and promoting synergy between conservation efforts and fisher livelihoods. Additionally, the Forest Department is launching an eco-development program under Social Forestry to collaborate with local communities, aiming to balance ecological preservation with sustainable development and establish Kerala as a model for integrating conservation with community welfare.

Sajan John, Marine Specialist at Wildlife Trust of India said, “We work closely with fishers as they are an integral part of marine conservation and their active support is key for the conservation of endangered marine species.”