Kollam (Kerala) Dec 9 (NationPress) In a remarkable four-hour operation on Tuesday morning, a 13-foot whale shark that had become entangled in a shore seine net off the coast of Kollam, Kerala, was successfully rescued and returned to the ocean, according to officials.

This effort was a collaborative undertaking that included local fishers, the Forest Department, the Coastal Police, and international tourists.

Notably, this represents the first documented rescue of a whale shark in the Kollam district and the 50th rescue along the Kerala coastline since the inception of the Wildlife Trust of India’s (WTI) Save the Whale Shark Campaign in 2017.

This initiative, conducted in partnership with the Kerala Forest Department and backed by Oracle, aims to enhance awareness surrounding whale shark conservation, educate fishing communities, promote sustainable fishing methods, and fortify coastal rescue responses.

The WTI escalated its efforts along the Kollam coast this year following the reported death of a whale shark in the district last year.

Awareness programs have targeted fishers, students, and government entities, emphasizing the ecological significance of these marine giants.

“The successful rescue in Kollam showcases the increasing awareness and dedication of local fishers to protecting endangered species,” stated Sajan John, WTI's Marine Projects Coordinator.

Whale sharks, which frequent the Arabian Sea coast of India from October to March, often venture close to shore, increasing the likelihood of becoming ensnared in fishing nets, he noted.

“The collaborative efforts of fishers, governmental bodies, students, and environmentally aware communities are essential for the survival of these gentle giants,” he added.

Dr. P. Pugazhendi IFS, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, praised the unified efforts.

“The whale shark is the largest fish in the world, and its survival relies heavily on coastal communities. The collaboration between fishers, Forest Department personnel, police, and tourists in rescuing this stranded whale shark is truly commendable. The Kerala Forest Department, alongside WTI, continues to educate communities about the ecological importance of this highly endangered species,” he remarked.

Whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) are the largest fish on Earth, reaching lengths of up to 18 meters and weighing as much as 21 metric tons.

Despite their extensive presence in tropical and warm temperate oceans, they encounter threats from habitat degradation, accidental bycatch, and illegal fishing.

Listed as ‘Endangered’ on the IUCN Red List and safeguarded under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, these filter-feeding giants are crucial for maintaining the balance of marine ecosystems.