Kochi: Marine experts have called for coordinated action by various agencies to tackle illegal shark fishing and trade. The importance of collaboration among multiple stakeholders to ensure the conservation of the protected species was highlighted at a workshop and panel discussion organised by ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) on Monday.

Experts pointed to gaps in monitoring and enforcement following India's recent expansion of shark and ray species protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972. They called for a comprehensive approach, including habitat mapping, public awareness campaigns, gear modifications, demarcation of conserved areas, and AI-based shark recognition tools.

Shark fins, particularly when frozen, are often hard to identify, making enforcement challenging. To address this, experts proposed enhancing the collective capacity of agencies involved in fisheries management, trade regulation, biodiversity conservation, and enforcement.

Shaik Khader Rahman, Chief Commissioner of CGST & Customs, who inaugurated the workshop, stressed the importance of joint training and real-time communication channels among customs, fisheries officers, coastal police, researchers, and wildlife departments. Rahman called for stronger cooperation between conservation and enforcement agencies to combat illegal trade.

Sharks are often illegally caught, with their fins smuggled into international markets, especially in East Asia. The amended Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 now provides the highest protection to 26 shark and ray species. Rahman noted that as illegal wildlife trade evolves, it is crucial to enhance enforcement through better training and inter-agency coordination. Front-line personnel must be trained to recognise CITES-listed elasmobranchs, whether in dried fin form, processed cartilage, or preserved specimens.

“Fishing pressure and unregulated trade, together with other natural and anthropogenic factors like pollution and climate change, have placed many shark species under threat of extinction”, said CMFRI Director Dr Grinson George, who presided over the function. 

Dr Shoba Joe Kizhakudan, head of CMFRI’s Finfish Fisheries Division, emphasised that while stricter conservation measures are necessary, the livelihoods of fishermen must also be considered. Shark fishing is a primary source of income for many Indian fishing families, and enforcement should avoid disrupting legitimate activities.

The workshop also saw the release of CMFRI’s latest publications on elasmobranchs, including Kalpamatsya The Shark, a biannual shark science digest.