ગુજરાતી
English
October 2024
The coast from Kutch to Bhavnagar in Gujarat is considered the ‘home of dolphins’. The government claims that the number of dolphins has increased in Gujarat.
According to the Dolphin Census 2024 data conducted by the Forest Department, about 680 dolphins have been seen in the coastal area of 4,087 square kilometres.
Humpback dolphins of the Indian Ocean are also found in the coastal waters of Gujarat.
To increase the number of dolphins in Gujarat, the Forest Department has made efforts to create awareness among fishermen and others.
However, dolphins are very helpful to fishermen in catching fish in the deep sea. Therefore, the fishermen of Gujarat do not kill or catch dolphins but consider them sacred.
Jethabhai said, “Dolphins are sacred to us. When fishermen go into deep waters in search of fish, dolphins are very useful. Dolphins are never alone.”
According to him, “Other fish move in groups with dolphins. Other fish are not visible on the surface. Dolphins are seen jumping on the surface. Therefore, a net or rope is cast at the base of the dolphin fish. Due to which the fishermen get a good amount of fish.”
He further says, “Tuna fish living in deep water weigh 50 to 60 kg. Tuna fish move with dolphins. It is easy to find tuna fish at the base of dolphins. Dolphins help in finding not only tuna fish, but also other fish.”
However, dolphins also have to protect fishermen. Dolphins have large fins. If that fin collides with a small boat, the boat also gets damaged.
Fisherman Manubhai Tandel says, “We love dolphins very much. Even before the government imposed a ban, we did not catch dolphins. If a dolphin accidentally gets trapped in our net, we tear the net and save it. Dolphins help us a lot in the sea.”
Yuvrajsinh Jhala, Deputy Forest Conservator of Kutch West Division, while talking to BBC Gujarati said that “The coastal area of Kutch has shallow water, due to which large fishes that hunt dolphins do not come to this area for hunting. This gives a very favorable environment to the dolphin fish for breeding and raising their children.”
He said, “The Forest Department has made people aware to conserve dolphins and increase their numbers. The number of dolphins has gradually increased due to various efforts.”
According to the information given in the press note of the Forest and Environment Department of Gujarat State, the Marine National Park and Marine Sanctuary located in the southern part of the Gulf of Kutch, which stretches from Okha to Navlakhi, has the highest number of dolphins with about 498 in an area of 1384 square kilometers.
In the northern part of the Gulf of Kutch, 168 dolphins have been seen in an area of 1,821 square kilometers under Kutch Division, while 10 dolphins have been seen in an area of 494 square kilometers of Bhavnagar and 4 dolphins in an area of 388 square kilometers of Morbi. Thus, in total, about 680 dolphins have been seen in an area of 4,087 square kilometers of the sea.
Giving more information about dolphins, Minister of State for Forest and Environment Mukesh Patel said in a press release that “Humpback dolphins of the Indian Ocean are found in the coastal waters of Gujarat. Humpback dolphins are found in large numbers in the Arabian Sea. They can be identified by their distinctive hump and long dorsal fin i.e. tail. Dolphins are known for their friendly and curious nature. Dolphins are often seen jumping in the waves. They can be easily identified due to their attractive body and ‘bottle’ like mouth shape.” It is worth noting that the national aquatic animal of India is ‘Ganga Dolphin’. The Government of India declared the dolphin as the ‘National Aquatic Animal’ of India on October 5, 2009. Rameshbhai Dalki, president of Veraval Bhidiya Kharva Samaj Boat Association, while talking to BBC Gujarati, said, “‘Hop fishing’ is done behind the dolphin to catch fish in deep water. In this, when the dolphin comes out of the fish, the net is cast behind it. Tuna fish get trapped in this net.”
Talking about the methods of fishing, Rameshbhai says, “In Gujarat, deep sea fishing is done in 4 to 5 main ways.”
In trawling fishing, a net is cast in the deep sea. It is tied to a boat and pulled. Fish come into it. In net fishing, the net is put in the sea and tied to the boat and kept there. It is not pulled. It is pulled at a certain time.
Apart from this, line fishing is also done, which is very dangerous. In this fishing, lights are put in the sea and the water is heated. In which the fish die and are taken out using a net. In this fishing, small children as well as fish die. This fishing is also called ‘monster fishing’. However, he claims that “this is not seen in Gujarat. It is seen more in the state of Maharashtra. However, the government has banned line fishing.”
