In the illegal trade in shark body parts, Tamil Nadu topped.
According to a report by the World Wide Fund for Nature-India (WWF-India) and TRAFFIC, almost 16,000 kg of shark fins were seized between January 2010 to December 2022.
A recent TRAFFIC report ‘Netted in illegal wildlife trade: Sharks of India’ raised alarm about India’s illegal shark trade. It also highlighted ongoing threats and conservation concerns.
Out of the total, 65% of the illegal trade in shark body parts has occurred in Tamil Nadu. It is followed by other states such as Karnataka, Gujarat, Kerala, and Maharashtra.
The parts of the shark’s body were exported to Singapore, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka, and China.
Shark fins are the most sought-after shark product used to make ‘shark-fin soup’.
The demand for shark fins and meat is a major driver of the global shark fishery.
Out of the total 160 shark species in India, only 26 sharks and rays have been given the highest protection status under the amended Wild Life (Protection) Act 1972.
Appendix I and II of CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) have been listed in Schedule IV of the Act.
