3 days ago
Ecologists Seek Marine National Parks Along Andhra Pradesh Coast
Whale sharks live in the sea near Andhra Pradesh.
They can get caught in fishing nets and may die.
Conservationists want special marine national parks to help protect them and other animals.
These animals include dolphins and Olive Ridley turtles.
Officials are teaching fishermen and students why marine animals should be saved.
Fishermen are being told to release trapped whale sharks, even if they must cut their nets.
Some experts want damaged nets replaced or fishermen compensated.
Fisheries authorities are worried that people could make false compensation claims.
An awareness programme is planned for International Whale Shark Day on August 30.
Conservationists have called for marine national parks along Andhra Pradesh’s coast to protect whale sharks, dolphins and Olive Ridley turtles.
Whale sharks are endangered globally and protected under Schedule 1 of India’s Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
The sharks often become trapped in fishing nets as fishermen travel farther offshore in search of larger catches.
Experts want fishermen to receive compensation or replacement nets when they damage equipment while freeing whale sharks.
Authorities are planning awareness activities on August 30, including fishermen and student programmes and whale-shark-shaped balloons.
- Who
- Conservationists, forest authorities, fisheries authorities, fishermen and students are involved.
- What
- Ecologists are seeking marine national parks and stronger measures to protect endangered whale sharks and other marine species.
- Where
- Along the Andhra Pradesh coast, including areas near the Coringa and Krishna wildlife sanctuaries.
- When
- The awareness programme is scheduled for International Whale Shark Day on August 30; the report was published August 28.
- Why
- Whale sharks are becoming trapped and dying in fishing nets, while other marine species also need protection.
Conservationists and Forest Authorities
Fisheries Authorities
Marine national parks
Conservationists and Forest Authorities
Conservationists argue that marine national parks along the Andhra Pradesh coast would help protect whale sharks, dolphins, Olive Ridley turtles and other species.
Fisheries Authorities
The articles do not report a specific fisheries-authority position on establishing marine national parks.
Compensation or net replacement
Conservationists and Forest Authorities
Experts and forest officials say compensation or replacement nets could encourage fishermen to free trapped whale sharks rather than leave them to die.
Fisheries Authorities
Fisheries authorities remain unconvinced, saying there is no system to verify fishermen’s claims and that compensation could encourage false claims.
Handling entangled sharks
Conservationists and Forest Authorities
Conservation advocates urge fishermen to release whale sharks, even by cutting their nets when necessary.
Fisheries Authorities
Fisheries authorities emphasize penal provisions under the Andhra Pradesh Marine Fishing (Regulation) Act, 1994, to discourage the killing of marine species.
Key facts
- Protected species
- Whale sharks are protected under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
- Global status
- The International Union for Conservation of Nature classifies whale sharks as endangered.
- Main threat
- Whale sharks become entangled in fishing nets, particularly as fishermen travel farther offshore.
- Proposed protection
- Conservationists want marine national parks along the Andhra Pradesh coast, following the example of Gujarat.
- Proposed assistance
- Experts suggest compensating fishermen or replacing nets damaged while freeing whale sharks.
- Existing replacements
- Forest authorities said they have replaced about seven to eight fishing nets.
- Awareness campaign
- Fisheries and forest authorities will educate fishermen and students and use whale-shark-shaped balloons.
Quotes
Dr. T. Ravi Shankar
Former EGREE Foundation state project coordinator and former Japan International Cooperation Agency forestry project team leader
“If nets are replaced in case they get damaged while releasing the entrapped whale sharks in AP, as is done in Gujarat, it will encourage fishermen to report such incidents and help protect whale sharks, instead of allowing them to die in case they remain entangled in the fishing nets for a long time.”
deccanchronicle.com
“There is a need to develop marine national parks along AP coast on lines of wildlife sanctuaries to conserve and protect endangered marine species like whale sharks.”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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