In recent times, the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), a non-profit organization based in Delhi, has launched ‘Save the Whale Shark Campaign’ in Mangaluru, covering regions such as Karnataka, Kerala, and Lakshadweep. This campaign corresponds to International Whale Shark Day, celebrated on August 30, 2022. This year’s theme is “The Future of Sharks: Guardians of Our Seas.”
Overview of the Save the Whale Shark Campaign
This campaign represents a collaborative effort between coastal Karnataka, Kerala, Lakshadweep islands, and the Forest and Fisheries Departments of these regions. The primary goal is to reduce cases of whale sharks being accidentally caught in fishing nets. Instead, fishermen are encouraged to release whale sharks that are inadvertently caught.
To assist this conservation effort, a mobile application has been developed to monitor whale shark sightings and assist successful rescues.
Key Facts About the Whale Shark
The whale shark (Rhincodon typus) holds the title of the largest fish on earth and serves as a keystone species in marine ecosystems, reaching lengths of approximately 18 meters and weighing up to 21 tonnes. The species are typically found in tropical oceans, feeding on fish, squid, and small creatures.
Within India, whale sharks populate the entire coastline, with the highest concentration found along the Gujarat coast. Moreover, a 2012-13 survey conducted by WTI, supported by IUCN, found that following the Gujarat coast, the highest number of whale shark sightings were in the waters around Lakshadweep.
Conservation Status and Threats to Whale Sharks
According to the Wild Life (Protection) Act of 1972 and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, the whale shark is considered an endangered species. The main threats to these creatures include accidental entrapment in fishing nets and exposure to increased plastic debris in oceans. To prevent endangerment, prompt release of entangled whale sharks from fishing nets is recommended.
Protection Initiatives for Whale Sharks
The WTI has been active in Gujarat over the last 20 years, running a project that has led to fishermen releasing 852 whale sharks back into the Arabian Sea.
The main objective of this project is to minimize whale shark deaths caused by accidental capture in fishing nets. It emphasizes the voluntary release of whale sharks by marine fishers in Karnataka, Kerala, and Lakshadweep.
About the IUCN Green Status Assessment
The IUCN Green Status classifies species into nine categories, indicating the extent to which species are depleted or recovered compared to historical population levels. This assessment measures previous conservation impacts on a species, its dependence on ongoing support, the potential gains from future conservation efforts, and its potential for recovery in the next century.
UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question
In addition to discussing the current topic, we will also revisit a previous UPSC Civil Services Examination question.
Question: Among the following, which one lays eggs and does not produce young ones directly? (2008)
Options:
(a) Echidna
(b) Kangaroo
(c) Porcupine
(d) Whale
The correct answer is (a) Echidna.
Explanation: Echidnas, also known as spiny anteaters, belong to the family Tachyglossidae in the monotreme order of egg-laying mammals. As one of only four existing species of Echidnas and platypus, they are the sole surviving members of the Monotremata order.