On January 23, 2026, along the Thiruvananthapuram coast in Kerala, a remarkable rescue unfolded when local fishermen freed three whale sharks that had become entangled in shore-seine fishing nets at multiple locations including Kochuthoppu, Vettucaud and Kochuveli. The coordinated efforts involved around 20 fishermen at each site, working tirelessly for more than an hour at each rescue. The three sharks—two males and one female—measured roughly 12, 16, and 20 feet long, making this the first documented instance of three such rescues on the same day in the region.
This event is part of a larger conservation movement along India’s west coast, where fishing communities increasingly act to protect marine life. Shore-seine nets, a traditional method used extensively from October to March, often accidentally ensnare whale sharks during their migratory movements, posing a significant risk to these endangered giants of the sea.
The rescue operations were supported by the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), which has been running the Pan-India Whale Shark Conservation Project since 2017 in collaboration with the Kerala Forest Department and the Fisheries Department. This initiative encourages fishermen to save entangled sharks by offering compensation for nets they must cut and sacrifice to free the animals. More than 1,000 whale sharks have been rescued and released along India’s coastline under this programme, with Kerala accounting for a significant number of those lives saved.
The repeated success of these rescues highlights growing awareness and cooperation between local fishers, conservation groups, and government agencies. It underscores the evolving mindset within coastal communities—from viewing whale sharks as unwanted bycatch to becoming proactive protectors of an endangered species, setting a positive example for marine conservation efforts nationwide.
News as reported
