Yesterday, the world's biggest fish, the whale shark, a female of the species was effectively satellite marked close to Sutrapada coastal town in Junagadh district. This has been done in order to study more about these fishes.

The tagging has been done for the second time in the country. This was done by the Whale Shark Conservation Project team with the assistance of fishing community members.

The project is a mutual initiative of the Gujarat Forest Department and the International Fund for Animal Welfare, Wildlife Trust of India (IFAW-WTI). These organizations work together to collect more information on the species to assist in extending effective conservation policies. Tata Chemicals Ltd. supports the project.

Alka Talwar, Head of Community Development at Tata Chemicals Ltd., says, "Tagging will aid in exploring new facts and data on whale shark habitats and provide precise information on migratory patterns, breeding and survival off the Gujarat coast".

The female whale shark that has been tagged is about 18 feet in length. It has been caught with the help of in fishing net and has been released after tagging.

Gujarat has occupied the top position in conservation of whale sharks in the country. The fishing community is coming ahead to protect the species over the past decade, says Aradhana Sahu, Deputy Conservator of Forests, Junagadh.