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| Whale
shark being butchered in the Indian fishery.
Photo Mike Pandey.
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We
have just received reports of the slaughter of at least
three whale
shark in the waters off Chittagong in Bangladesh.
The first shark was apparently displayed in the local
market and one tour company was trying to keep it for
public display.
The
following day a further two sharks were caught and this
attracted the attention of the local newspapers .
Our
correspondent Zahirul Islam is a member of the Marine Life
Alliance in Bangladesh; he reports that the fishermen do
not know the species only calling it the giant shark or 'Bagha'
in Bangla. Zahirul wants to raise awareness of th3e whale
shark in his region and put an end to the brutal
killing. He notes that "Shark finning is still
encouraged and normal business in Bangladesh. I
will try to write and send some information to
a national TV channel for the whale shark feature
regarding its role and importance in the ocean."
However he feels that raising the public's awareness is
going to be a struggle: "Here even the fish
biologist do not know the name of the shark. If
possible please try to help me in the form of any
type support, training, information, instruments, funding,
any type would be appreciated."
Lack of
public empathy and lack of facilities and support are very
real problems that are often encountered in developing
nations. This has to be expected: where large parts of the
population are more concerned with the day to day struggle
for survival there is little time or willingness to look
at nebulous issues such as conservation.
MCSS has
already sent Zahirul some information on joining the
regional whale shark forum and some information on
monitoring, if you feel that you can assist him in any way
please drop us a line and we will forward your message to
him.
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