A whale lot better
When it comes to making profit, a living whale shark is worth many times more than a dead one. One decent-sized whale shark fetches between Rs 20,000 and Rs 30,000. This includes Rs 5,000-7,000 from the sale of shark meat at the rate of Rs one per kg and the sale of shark liver oil at the rate of around Rs 10-20 per litre. If ecotourism is promoted, only one sighting of a whale shark can bring in as much as Rs 50,000-75,000. But rules need to be amended if the whale shark is to be protected. This would also help people earn a livelihood that is not coloured in blood.