A French environmental organisation is advocating for the creation of an international protection zone for the whale shark in the South Atlantic – between Cape Verde and Saint Helena. The project has recently gained the support of the sailing community through the Vendée Globe Foundation.
The whale shark, the largest fish on Earth, can grow up to 20 metres long and weigh over 30 tonnes, yet despite its awe-inspiring size, the species is facing an escalating risk of extinction. Overfishing, accidental bycatch, and collisions with ships are some of the major threats contributing to its endangered status.
In an interview with public broadcaster franceinfo on Sunday, Hugues de Kerdrel, founder of the marine conservation group Over The Swell, described the whale shark as a majestic creature.
"You see a huge mass, with a peace and tranquility that is extraordinary. It swims very slowly," he said, highlighting the gentle nature of the giant fish.
Founded in Brittany, Over The Swell has taken up the cause of protecting whale sharks, now calling for the creation of an international protected zone in the South Atlantic.
The campaign was sparked by de Kerdrel's own encounter with a whale shark near Saint Helena island, located in the heart of the South Atlantic. This experience deepened his commitment to safeguarding the species, which is increasingly threatened by human activity.
Offshore corridor
According to a study published last month in Nature Climate Change, the risks to whale sharks are rising due to climate change, which forces the animals to migrate to areas with denser maritime traffic.
"We won’t be able to stop illegal fishing or industrial fishing," de Kerdrel acknowledged. "But we can start by working on international marine protected areas."
French fishing ban great news for dolphins, less so for industry
His organisation is pushing for the creation of the world’s first offshore corridor specifically for whale sharks, stretching between Cape Verde and Saint Helena island.
By better understanding the sharks’ migration routes, de Kerdrel believes international bodies can be persuaded to protect the area.
Support from sailors
Last week, Over The Swell's project received an official support from the Vendée Globe Foundation, which was created this year to promote the protection of oceans and marine biodiversity.
Fabrice Amedeo, a sailor currently competing in the 10th edition of the annual Vendée Globe round-the-world race, voiced his backing for the project.
40 skippers leave France to embark on gruelling 'Everest of the Seas'
Amedeo emphasised the need for a shift in the approach to marine conservation, calling for an end to the silence surrounding the issue. He also stressed the importance of viewing sailors as "whistleblowers" rather than perpetrators when it comes to collisions with marine life.
Amedeo also pointed out that four of the 40 boats in the Vendée Globe unintentionally kill a whale every four years by striking the animals.
"What about the global commercial fleet?" he asked, urging a broader awareness of the devastating impact of ship collisions on marine wildlife.
