Buenaventura fishermen brought a whale shark back to sea

In Colombia fishing for sharks and rays is prohibited, as well as the practice known as “finning”, in which the fishermen cut off the fins of these animals and then put them back in the water. However, some people do not follow the rules and continue to capture this type of species, endangering their populations and increasing their vulnerability.

There Regional Autonomous Corporation of Valle del Cauca (CVC) reports that on April 16, a group of fishermen captured for a few minutes a whale shark, one of the marine species most protected by the National Aquaculture and Fisheries Authority (Aunap), these people therefore decided to record the moment when this fish was returned to the sea.

He whale shark It is considered the largest fish in the world, it is also known as ‘Rhincodon typus’ and can live up to 150 years, this species can exceed 12 meters in length and is considered hydrodynamic, because although he can weigh up to 19 tons, he can move with great fluidity in the water.

This fact was recorded in the community of nice stitch In Buenaventurain the Rio cajambrewhere the fishermen used to meet whale shark inside one of their fishing nets, and although the resolution 1743 of 2017 allows the fishing of this species, as long as it is accidental and does not exceed 35% of the resources caught during the day, this group of men decided to release the fish.

This action was carried out quickly, seeking to cause as little stress as possible to the animal, since many of the fishermen belong to environmental groups in the territory, and their objective is to protect the marine ecosystem, in addition to the fact that the whale shark can neither bite nor chew, and does not represent a danger to humans, since it feeds by filtering.

From Regional Autonomous Corporation of Valle del Caucaaddressed a message of gratitude to the fishermen for this action, affirming that this type of process is the result of the work that has been carried out with them, assuring that, in the same way, this group of people has returned to the sea several fallen species accidentally into their networks and considered vulnerable.

“Honestly, we’re happy to see this kind of action from anglers. I have worked with them for a long time and they are constantly showing us that there are new ways of doing things, in terms of biodiversity. With them, we have environmental education work which has led them to release all the animals that have fallen by chance into their networks of craftsmen; mainly sea turtles,” says Edwar Leonardo Sevilla, marine biologist at the CVC.

There HVAC carried out a series of processes to encourage and sensitize fishermen to environmental education, which allowed communities to be closer to the environment and the people. Threatened marine species will be able to ensure that their work can be sustainable.

“We have learned to take care of the environment and to differentiate between species that we cannot catch. Some of us have over 12 years of working and learning about mangroves and marine life. If we take care of ourselves, we will have more in the future”, said Líder Rentería, captain of the task.

Even if he Minister of the Environment Do not consider the whale shark as an animal in danger, this species is treated because it is not common to see it in areas close to land, since it is an animal that roams in the open sea. faces this type of marine animal in the Caribbean Sea there Atlantic This is not due to its fishing, but rather, as it feeds by filtering, it typically eats large amounts of plastic when moving through coastal areas.