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.

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!