Save the Whale Sharks of the Lakshadweep Islands

In Lakshadweep, there are two things aplenty — coconuts and tuna. For everything else, from rice to pencils, the residents of the 11 inhabitable islands depend on imports from mainland India. Over 68,000 people on these islands have flourished with minimal resources, yet they have taken on the mantle of “guardians” of this immensely biodiverse marine ecosystem. Despite numerous challenges, humans and wildlife thrive amidst the beautiful emerald reefs of Lakshadweep, including the whale shark (Rhincodon typus), the largest fish in our oceans.

The bygone era of whale shark hunting in Lakshadweep

In the 1st century CE, Greek sailors mentioned the Lakshadweep islands, noting them as a source of tortoise shells. Shells of hawksbill, green, and olive ridley turtles were shipped to European nations (then Romans) to be turned into bejewelled cigar cases, snuff boxes, combs and beetle boxes. These islands were the ideal hunting grounds for turtles whose shells were made into highly coveted luxury products. With a 132-km long coastline and 4,200 sq km of lagoon area, the atolls, the only ones in India, remain important feeding grounds for sea turtles. However, their trade has gone down significantly. The same has been the case for the whale sharks. “Whale sharks were occasionally hunted for their liver oil along with other shark species back in the 1970s. But those days are bygone,” exclaims Dr Syed Ali, retired Range Forest Officer, now based out of Kavaratti.

Until the mid-1900s, whale sharks were still occasionally hunted for liver oil, though the meat was considered unpalatable. With time, the demand for liver oil (as a waterproof coating for boats) disappeared as well. 

Bigger than “Jaws”, calmer than guppies!

While speaking with several fishermen, I discovered that whale sharks, locally referred to as “bifeds”, have always been creatures of mystery for the locals. Fishermen avoid getting too close to them for fear of their boat capsizing or getting sucked into their mouths. The colossal size (up to 18 m) of the whale shark means that fishermen fortunate enough to witness it, especially around the open seas of Minicoy and Kavaratti, consider it an amazing experience. However, it is not just the fear of the enormous whale sharks that has kept hunting them at bay. The fishermen of this region have a deep connection to nature, and even with limited resources, they only take what they need, allowing the rest to flourish.

However, whale sharks frequently get entangled in fishing nets off the shores of Kerala. Between the launch of Wildlife Trust of India’s (WTI) “Save the Whale Shark Campaign” in 2017 and 2024, fishermen along Kerala’s coasts have rescued and released 23 accidentally entangled individuals. The campaign team has been working closely with the local fishing community, coast guards, and forest department to raise awareness about the species, which has long been misunderstood and perceived as a threat.

Despite their massive size, whale sharks are among the most docile creatures in the ocean. Even though they are much larger than the creature from the movie “Jaws”, whale sharks can be as calm as guppies. They are often spotted basking in open seas under the tropical sun. These filter feeders survive on plankton, krill, and small fishes. While little is known about their migratory behaviour, they congregate along tropical waters, including around the Lakshadweep Islands. In the past, their population has suffered from targeted fishing. However, modern threats include pollution, increased ship traffic, and becoming unintentional bycatch in large-scale fishing activities. The species is classified as “Endangered” on the IUCN Red List of Species, and the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, grants it the highest degree of protection under Schedule I. 

Where to find whale sharks in Lakshadweep?

Interestingly, the schooling of whale sharks, recorded in several instances along the west coast of India, coincides with the schooling of commercially important fish like tuna, sardines, and mackerels. This may be why whale sharks frequently become bycatch off the Gujarat and Kerala coasts, where trawl nets and drag nets are commonly used. In contrast, fishermen in Lakshadweep strictly use the pole-and-line technique to catch yellowfin and skipjack tuna. This practice has also ensured the safe navigation of whale sharks in these waters.

“Whale sharks are regularly seen in the open waters off Agatti and Minicoy Islands, especially during the early hours of the day, sometimes in groups of up to three individuals”, says Hasmath Ahmed, a schoolteacher and part-time fisherman I met in the Amini Islands. Some other fishermen also recollect how whale sharks have followed them on more than a few fishing trips.

Is Lakshadweep ready for a change?

Lakshadweep is slowly adopting large-scale fishing methods, which are common in the waters off mainland India. While this can help boost the island’s economy, scientific planning and earnest efforts to protect the delicate ecosystem are also necessary. The Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) has been working on a Responsible Fishery Management Plan (RFMP) to facilitate the scientific management of fishery resources across the islands, especially to protect important species like whale sharks. The whale shark, for now, swims freely in Lakshadweep’s waters, but this can easily change if changing fishing methods are not managed responsibly.

The evolving tourism development in Lakshadweep can also play an important role in protecting and promoting whale sharks. Due to its pristine waters, it is the only part of the Indian subcontinent where whale shark tourism stands a chance to provide livelihood opportunities for locals.

“On the other side of the coin, there have been instances where fishing boats using trawl nets from Kerala and Tamil Nadu have crossed designated territories and operated in Lakshadweep waters. Further, since the open sea around Lakshadweep is on an international shipping route, the island is witnessing an increasing amount of waste in the form of plastic and bottles on its shores. This, in turn, has affected the reefs and the marine diversity”, says Dr Ali.

Renowned for its beautiful reef systems, Lakshadweep has already begun showing signs of coral bleaching, and one of the reasons for this may be increased ocean pollution. “Single-use plastic is banned here, but the ocean is bringing tonnes of it to the shores of islands like Kavaratti and Agatti. It is also disheartening to see liquor bottles washing up on our beaches despite the strict ban on alcohol on the islands”, Dr Ali adds.

Commercial ships need to stop dumping garbage. WTI’s campaign team is working tirelessly with the local community and schools to raise awareness about whale sharks and the need for healthy marine ecosystems. However, it is the need of the hour for everyone to act more responsibly. I have had first-hand experience of the amazing diversity of life that the reefs of Lakshadweep hold, and it would be a monumental crisis if this is lost to the apathetic dumping of waste in pristine seas. For the islands that have historically operated sustainably, the increased anthropogenic pressure on its waters may already indicate the onset of a huge crisis. As for the whale sharks, Lakshadweep must remain a safe haven for the world’s largest fish.