Use eco-tourism and awareness programmes to save the elusive and genteel whale sharks off Gujarat coast, says Urvashi Dogra

IMAGINE, a gigantic fish, that can, with one swing of its tail, crush a man's bones to pulp, come up to check you out as you dive into the ocean! Such an encounter, especially at close quarters, with one of the rare creatures of the earth like the whale shark can be a rewarding experience for anyone interested in wildlife.

Believe it or not, the whale shark is NOT a whale, but it is so called because of its astoundingly enormous size. The largest fish in the world and the biggest shark, the whale shark is no ordinary creature. It can grow up to a length of 15.2 meters, yet is termed the "gentle giant" of the oceans due to its almost docile nature.

With distinctive light yellow markings, a shape that can be confused with that of no other creature on earth, and sheer size, the whale shark is spectacular and unmistakable. These gigantic creatures are known to live over a 100 years.

An Oceanic Mystery
The whale shark is one creature that for many years was considered rare and elusive. Only a few fortunate divers had chance encounters with this huge animal and they were enthralled by the experience. This fish has remained a mystery to fishermen, divers and scientists alike until very recently.

Whale sharks are largely vegetarian, harmless to people and indifferent to divers. They are not aggressive and cruise the oceans feeding on concentrations of microscopic plants, small fish and squid. This fish is a filter feeder, which means it sieves large amounts of plankton to eat through its gills as it swims through the water with its mouth wide open.

Catching The Big Fish
Till a few years back, whale sharks were being killed in large numbers off the shores of Gujarat, where they visit between March and May every year. The presence of this rare and elusive creature should be a matter of great pride and joy for Gujaratis, but a complete lack of knowledge and ignorance about the fish has made this impossible. Local fishermen have traditionally hunted this meek giant for oil to waterproof their boats. Today, far better alternatives are available, but the fish is killed for its meat, which is not locally eaten, but exported to countries such as Korea, Philippines, etc.

The whale shark is generally caught with the help of giant hooks which have strong lines attached to them along with big barrels which act as buoys. As the unsuspecting fish comes to the surface to feed, the hooks are plunged and firmly embedded in its open mouth. The agitated and terrified fish then dives into the depths of the oceans carrying the hook, line and the barrels with it.

The line is let out as the fish dives and the boat follows the fish as it swims desperately to try and get the hook out of its mouth. This could go on for hours, till finally exhausted and because of the buoys attached to it, it rises to the surface. It is then lashed to the fishing boats with strong ropes and dragged into the shallow waters at the shore. There, while the fish is still alive, it is cut open and its liver removed. Thereafter its fins, meat, skin and cartilage is removed. Preliminary studies revealed that fishermen were killing hundreds of whale sharks every season.

Stop The Killing
Today, poaching of this fish is illegal as it is on Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, thus according it the highest protection. Recent studies have revealed that whale sharks migrate hundreds and even thousands of kilometers. A satellite tagged animal travelled 22,400 kilometers in 40 months. It is now believed that they undertake huge migrations, breeding in the Indian ocean and then moving south around Cape Horn into the Atlantic and Caribbean waters.

Alternative Livelihood
What can be the answer to the loss of livelihood of the fishermen who hunt the whale shark?
Whale sharks are generally not easy to spot because they are deep-sea creatures and only come to the surface to feed. The fishermen who hunt these whale sharks are expert spotters and can easily spot the whale shark where others may not be able.

This skill can be used effectively in the whale shark tourism industry. Whale shark watching and diving with the whale sharks could be promoted and the fishermen employed for this purpose. This would not only probably prove to be a more lucrative employment option but would also help develop a sense of pride for the whale shark among the fishing community and the general public at large.

What can you do to help save the whale shark?
Wildlife Trust Of India (WTI) has launched a campaign to spread awareness about this magnificent fish in an effort to conserve the species. Join hands with WTI to save the whale shark by spreading awareness about this gentle giant, inculcating a sense of pride in this fish and building support for its conservation.

You could also e-mail at info@wti.org.in for further information. If you're a travel and tour operator, you could create eco-tourism packages for whale-shark watching. Even if you're not, next time you visit the Gujarat coast, ask around for a fisherman guide who can take you whale-shark watching! Express the demand and a new avenue of eco-tourism will open up!