Wildlife Experts Sound the Alarm About Illegal Shark Trade in India
© AP Photo / JOHN BAZEMORE
Subscribe
Sharks, the apex predators in the ocean that hunt a variety of marine species, are essential in maintaining the ecosystem balance. But due to overfishing and low birth rates, they are at a higher risk of extinction compared to most other vertebrates.
In a groundbreaking report titled "Netted in illegal wildlife trade: Sharks of India", TRAFFIC and WWF-India have revealed alarming facts about the illicit shark trade in India, the ongoing threats and pressing conservation concerns over these magnificent creatures.
Wildlife experts said nearly 16,000 kg of shark fins were seized between January 2010 and December 2022, making up the majority of shark-based products seized. Reports showed fins were found in over 80 percent of the total seizures. Large quantities of shark cartilage and teeth were also confiscated.
India’s Tamil Nadu state saw 65 percent of shark seizures, followed by Karnataka, Gujarat, Kerala and Maharashtra. The confiscated products were to be shipped to Singapore, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka and mainland China, the report revealed.
Wildlife Experts Raise Alarm About Illegal Sharks Trade in India
© Photo : Humane Society International
Report author Dr. Merwyn Fernandes, Associate Director of TRAFFIC's India Office, highlighted that the massive demand for shark fins and meat greatly drives the global shark fishery. Shark fins are particularly sought-after as they are the main ingredient of shark-fin soup.
"Shark's meat is consumed as food; skin as leather; liver oil (squalene) as a lubricant, in cosmetics and as a source of vitamin A; cartilages for chondroitin sulphate extraction in the preparation of medicines and jaws and teeth for making curios", Dr. Fernandes said in the report.
Wildlife Experts Raise Alarm About Illegal Sharks Trade in India
© Photo : Jeff Rotman
Out of the 160 shark species found in India, only 26 sharks and rays have been granted the highest protection status under the amended Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972.
"The lack of capacity to identify the shark fins against numerous potential shark species in trade is a significant gap in curbing their illicit trade. Insufficient monitoring mechanisms further make it challenging to differentiate between legal and illegal trade of sharks," said Dr. Dipankar Ghose, Senior Director of Biodiversity Conservation at WWF India and Interim Head of TRAFFIC's India Office.
To assist law enforcement officials such as Customs in nabbing the smugglers, TRAFFIC has developed 3D-printed and painted replica fins, and also published a new 3D Shark Fin Identification Guidebook on 11 shark and ray species.
