Archive · 8 Dec 2025
Mike Pandey's Documentary Saves Whale Sharks
Mike Pandey is a famous wildlife filmmaker who used to work in Bollywood.
He made a documentary called 'Shores of Silence' about whale sharks, which are very big fish.
In the past, people in Gujarat, India, were killing whale sharks for their liver oil.
Mike's documentary showed how important these fish are and helped make it illegal to kill them.
After the documentary, many groups worked together to teach fishermen about whale sharks and how to protect them.
Now, fishermen help save whale sharks instead of hurting them.
Mike believes that teaching people about wildlife from a young age is important for protecting nature.
Mike Pandey's documentary 'Shores of Silence' led to the outlawing of whale shark culling in India.
Whale sharks were added to Schedule 1 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 within three months of the documentary's release.
The documentary was screened at the CITES summit, leading to global protection for whale sharks.
Conservation efforts by the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) and other organizations increased awareness and empathy for whale sharks among fishermen.
By 2025, 100% of fisherfolk in Gujarat could recognize whale sharks and were aware of their legal protection, with over 1,000 whale sharks rescued and released.
- Who
- Mike Pandey, a wildlife filmmaker and founder of Riverbank Studios
- What
- A documentary titled 'Shores of Silence' that led to the protection of whale sharks
- When
- The documentary was released in 2000, and significant conservation efforts continued until at least 2025
- Where
- The coast of Gujarat, India, particularly around Porbandar and Veraval
- Why
- To raise awareness about the illegal killing of whale sharks and to promote their conservation
- Mike Pandey
- Wildlife filmmaker and founder of Riverbank Studios
- Shores of Silence
- Documentary that led to the outlawing of whale shark culling
- Whale Sharks
- Largest known extant fish species, growing up to 60 feet
- Gujarat Coast
- Primary location for whale shark sightings and conservation efforts
- Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972
- Act that added whale sharks to Schedule 1 after the documentary's release
- CITES Summit
- Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species where the documentary was screened
- Wildlife Trust of India (WTI)
- Organization involved in whale shark conservation and awareness campaigns
- Vhali Watcher
- App for documenting whale shark rescues and sightings