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Landings of whale sharks Rhincodon typus Smith, 1828 in Indian waters since protection in 2001 through the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972

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Abstract

Since 28th May 2001, Whale shark Rhincodon typus Smith, 1828 have received the highest protected status for an animal in India through the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 Schedule-1. However, landings have still been recorded off the Indian coast since 2001, mostly as incidental bycatch in commercial fishing operations, and other sightings have also been reported. In the 1990’s, a targeted whale shark fishery existed off the Gujarat coast following increased demand for the flesh in some other Asian countries. Since the ban, landings of whale sharks have decreased substantially with only 79 recorded between 2001 and 2011. Landings were recorded in each year and in each month of the year with the highest landings in January and February. Between 2001 and 2011, the smallest specimen reported from Indian waters was a 94 cm TL individual and the largest was a 13.7 m TL individual, with most individuals recorded in the 4–6 m TL size class. Small juveniles of less than 3 m TL are rarely recorded in the literature and appear to be rarely observed globally. Between 2006 and 2011, seven juveniles of less than 3 m TL were recorded from two landing sites. Despite the continued landing of whale sharks along the Indian coasts since 2001, the protection of this species appears to have substantially reduced the catches with only incidental landings and strandings now evident. The protection status of whale sharks in India is generally well understood by fishers, but still there is need for further education regarding the current national legislation and vulnerability of the species.

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Acknowledgements

Authors wish to thank G. Syda Rao, Director, Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), Kochi for the facilities provided. Financial support from Ministry of Earth Sciences/Central Marine Living Resources and Ecology (CMLRE), Government of India is acknowledged. E. Vivekanandan (CMFRI) is acknowledged for the constant support for all our discussions. Dhiresh Joshi (Wildlife Trust of India); Society for Marine Research and Conservation (SMRC), Kochi; Jafer Hisham (Lakshadweep Marine Research and Conservation Centre (LMRCC)); Prajith K. K and Ragesh V.B (CUSAT), Vinu Jacob (CMLRE), Aneesh KKV and Sreejith P.T (CIFT) and Muktha M, KSSM Yousuf and Ragesh N (CMFRI) are acknowledged for the support extended. Prakasan D, Mani P.T. and Sijo Paul (CMFRI) are acknowledged for their assistance in field trips. Thanks also to Gensen Rozario Victor and Diana Benjamin (CUSAT) for the field support and photographs. We are grateful to all those who have responded to our queries and supported the work. We would also like to thank the valuable comments of anonymous reviewers and the journal editor for their critical suggestions which helped improve the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, P.B.No.1603, Ernakulam North, P.O., Kochi, 682 018, Kerala, India

    K. V. Akhilesh, C. P. R. Shanis, H. Manjebrayakath, K. K. Bineesh, U. Ganga, E. M. Abdussamad & N. G. K. Pillai

  2. CSIRO Marine & Atmospheric Research, GPO Box 1538, Hobart, 7001, Tasmania, Australia

    W. T. White

  3. National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources, Cochin Unit, CMFRI Campus, P.B.No.1603, Ernakulam North, P.O., Kochi, 682 018, Kerala, India

    A. Gopalakrishnan

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  1. K. V. Akhilesh
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Correspondence to K. V. Akhilesh.

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Akhilesh, K.V., Shanis, C.P.R., White, W.T. et al. Landings of whale sharks Rhincodon typus Smith, 1828 in Indian waters since protection in 2001 through the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Environ Biol Fish 96, 713–722 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-012-0063-9

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