The prevalence of shark products seized, comprising over 80% of cases, highlights a concerning trend, with substantial quantities of shark cartilage and teeth also being intercepted, according to recent data. The demand for shark fins and meat remains robust in the global market, with fins, primarily utilized in the preparation of ‘shark fin soup,’ being the most coveted product. Additionally, shark meat finds its way into various food items, while different parts of the shark are utilized for leather, liver oil, cosmetics, medicinal extraction, and ornamental purposes.

These findings assume significance in light of the proposal by the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) to delineate ‘shark hotspots’ in Indian waters, aiming to counteract the declining trend in shark catches. The demarcation of these hotspots aims to protect endangered species, juveniles, and breeding adults from targeted fishing activities, as emphasized by CMFRI. Notably, the landings of elasmobranchs, encompassing sharks, rays, and guitarfish, have witnessed a substantial decline of approximately 55% between 2012 and 2022, as per CMFRI assessments.

An analysis conducted by TRAFFIC, covering open-sourced media reports from January 2010 to December 2022, revealed 17 instances of seizures of shark derivatives in illegal trade. Among these, fins constituted the most seized derivative, accounting for 15,839.5 kg, reported in 82% of the cases. Additionally, other seized derivatives included cartilage (1,600 kg) and teeth (2,445 kg). Remarkably, in 35% of the seizures, various other wildlife contrabands were also confiscated, ranging from sea cucumbers to elephant tusks, highlighting the multifaceted challenges in wildlife protection efforts.

Tamil Nadu emerged as the epicenter of shark seizure incidents, comprising nearly 65% of the total cases, followed by Karnataka, Gujarat, Kerala, and Maharashtra. The confiscated products were often destined for international markets, including Singapore, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Sri Lanka, and mainland China.

Merwyn Fernandes, associate director of TRAFFIC India, underscored the significant role of shark fins and meat in driving the global shark fishery, particularly emphasizing the demand for shark-fin soup.

Sharks, as apex predators in marine ecosystems, play a crucial ecological role by regulating the populations of various aquatic species. However, overfishing, coupled with their low reproductive rates, poses a severe threat to their survival. Despite the existence of 160 shark species in India, only 26 species have been accorded the highest protection status under the amended Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, indicating the urgent need for enhanced conservation efforts.

Dipankar Ghose, senior director of biodiversity conservation at WWF India, emphasized the grave conservation threat posed by illegal shark trade, citing misdeclaration of species and inadequate monitoring mechanisms as key challenges in curbing illicit trade activities.

Shoba Joe Kizhakudan, head of the Finfish Fisheries Division at CMFRI, reiterated the vulnerability of sharks to overexploitation, citing their slow reproductive rates and long lifespan as factors exacerbating their plight. The presence of juvenile sharks in landings further accentuates the risk to their sustainable population, underscoring the imperative for concerted conservation initiatives.