Gujarat in ‘shark’ focus ahead of introducing whale shark tourism

“We have a proposal for Whale Shark Watching Tourism, which will soon be sent to the government for its approval. Thereafter, private parties will be invited to participate in the project. The department has already sent feelers to the Tatas, which have shown a keen interest,” said Pradeep Khanna, Principal Conservator of Forests (PCCF), Wildlife.

Khanna said Gujarat has a great scope for whale shark watching. About 1,200 to 2,000 whale sharks congregate near the Saurashtra coast every year in their migratory route from the north coast of Sri Lanka to the Gujarat coast. The time for whale shark watching is between November and May.

Once this tourism is introduced as a recreation and commercial activity, the government will invite domestic as well as foreign private entrepreneurs to develop infrastructure along the coastline, such as accommodation for tourists, restaurants, and souvenir shops among others. The government will be a facilitator in this project, envisaged on the public private partnership model.

It has also been proposed to work out combined packages involving other nearby tourist destinations to attract tourists. “This is to create awareness about the need for conservation and protection of the amazing whale sharks, and generate employment for the local fishermen,” said a senior Forest official involved in the project.

The whale shark was once known to be hunted along the Gujarat coast in large numbers. According to a survey conducted in 1999-2000, as many as 591 sharks had been reported killed for liver oil that was used for waterproofing wooden boats and the meat for export. India banned whale shark hunting in 2001, making it the first fish to be protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

Later, the Gujarat government launched an awareness campaign to protect sharks, involving local fishermen and religious leaders. The voluntary conservation programme now has local fishermen, especially in the coastal areas of Veraval, Mangrol, Porbandar and Sutrapada, playing an active role.

Last week, the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), the Forest Department and Tata Chemicals signed an MoU to research on whale shark ecology and its life cycle, as well as conservation of this species.

Whale shark rescued off Mangrol coast
JUNAGADH: In addition to Sutrapada and Veraval coasts, whale sharks have been spotted along the Mangrol coast in the Arabian Sea. According to official sources, in the last 10 days, three rescue operations have been carried out successfully near Mangrol. On Tuesday, a 22-foot long female whale shark, which was trapped in fishing net, was released safely without causing harm to the fish, in mid-sea, at some 15 nautical miles off the Mangrol coast.
According to reports, a female whale shark was caught in the fishing net of a boat named Har-Sidhdhi, with the registration number VRL 13441, on Tuesday morning. Following this, fishermen of the boat sought help from nearby boats. A rescue team from the Mangrol port accompanied by a group of local fishermen was also despatched to join the operation.
Mahavirsinh Chudasama, Round forester and member of the rescue team, said, “After nearly three hours of mid-sea exercise, the shark was freed safely.”
According to forest officials, within two weeks, three whale sharks have been rescued off the Mangrol coast. The official added that fishermen have been noticing a remarkable presence of whale sharks in the area, which, they say, is not a usual sight.