Whale shark pup rescue indicates possible breeding in Gujarat
May 2013. A new-born Whale shark pup that was recently freed by fishermen from nets in the Indian state of Gujarat has provided a clue that that the world's largest fish may be breeding off the coast of Gujarat.
Whale Shark Conservation Project
The release of the Whale shark pup was reported to the Whale Shark Conservation Project team by a local fisherman. The Project, a joint venture of the Gujarat Forest Department, Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) and Tata Chemicals Limited (TCL), has been carrying out research on the mighty fish along Gujarat coast since 2008. The fishermen said that they had not seen a Whale shark pup for over four decades.
"We have been trying to understand ecology, behaviour and migration of the Whale sharks, after the successful Whale shark campaign that convinced fishermen to release Whale sharks caught in their nets," said Professor B.C. Choudhury, Senior Advisor to WTI.
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| Credit WWF Philippines. |
Born this year
Dr Rachel Graham, renowned Whale shark expert and a member of the scientific advisory committee of the project, said, "The sighting or capture of such a young Whale shark is very rare. This particular pup looks like it was most likely born this year and the capture off the coast of Gujarat suggests that Whale sharks are pupping in the area."
The pup was around 60 cm long, which is the size a month or two-month old pup is expected to be. Whale sharks vary greatly in size when they are born, from 33cm long around the Philippines (read here about a Whale shark pup rescued in the Philippines.) to about 55cm in Taiwanese waters.
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