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Vijayawada: Fishermen from Machilipatnam inadvertently captured two whale sharks while fishing in the Bay of Bengal. Their hefty fishing net entangled the whale shark, which weighed roughly 1.5 tonnes. The fishermen were forced to remove a massive dead fish to the waters while sending the alive one back to sea due to the circumstances.
The enormous size and rarity of the whale shark, a species known for its slow movement and docile nature, made the incident particularly notable. The whale shark was brought to the Gilakaladindi fishing harbour on Sunday, having been caught on Thursday.
The Endangered Species
The whale shark (Rhincodon typus) is classified as an endangered species. This gentle giant is the largest fish in the ocean, known for its impressive size and slow pace. Despite its size, the whale shark is known for its harmless nature towards humans. It primarily feeds on plankton and small fish, using its filter-feeding technique. Their rarity and the threat of extinction make every encounter with these creatures significant for marine conservation efforts.
Recent Incident
In a separate incident in New Hampshire, two fishermen experienced a close encounter with whales when their boat capsized after colliding with two large whales. The accident was unintentional, with experts noting the risks of fishing in areas frequented by large whales. Fortunately, the fishermen were rescued by nearby boats and sustained no injuries. The whales involved were unharmed, underscoring the importance of careful maritime practices to avoid such encounters.
Steps Taken To Conserve Endangered Species
On an international front, tensions between Sri Lanka and India were heightened as the Sri Lankan navy detained nine Indian fishermen and seized their trawlers for poaching in Sri Lankan waters. This arrest increased the number of Indian fishermen detained this year to 261. The issue follows a prior confrontation that resulted in the death of a Sri Lankan naval sailor, further straining relations between the two nations. The situation remains a significant point of contention in their bilateral relations.
