Guidance on National Plan of Action for Sharks in India

Citation
Kizhakudan S Joe, Zacharia PU, Thomas S, et al (2015) Guidance on National Plan of Action for Sharks in India. IOTC, Olhao, Portugal
Abstract

India is one of the major shark fishing nations in the world and currently stands at the second position, next only to Indonesia. According to FAO statistics, India’s contribution to the global catch of sharks during 2006-2009 was 9%. Targeted shark* fishing in India started when market demand for this commodity increased in recent years. Today, an increase in the number and efficiency of fishing boats, directed fishing and expansion of fishing areas, and multi-day, deep water shark fishing have become a prevalent practice in Indian waters. An initial rise in shark catches along the coast, followed by a subsequent consistent decline in catch and catch rate in the last one decade has raised serious concern over the resource and the long-term viability of its fishery.
Sharks are among the highly valued fishes that invite both domestic and international demand. Utilisation of sharks in India is mostly in the form of shark meat, with a good domestic market for fresh meat in the coastal states and in dried form in the southern states. The gross value of sharks landed in the Indian maritime states in 2010 stood at 278 crores. Shark fins are one of the commodities in great demand in international markets. The shark fins find their way to East Asia to meet the demands of an expanding international shark fin market. Hong Kong, China and Singapore are the major demand centres for shark fins. India’s export of shark fins in 2011 was about 195 t, valued at US $ 14.99 million.
India’s first move towards shark conservation was in 2001 when 10 species of elasmobranchs were included under Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. This was the result of rampant whale shark hunting along the north-west coast of India, particularly in Gujarat during the latter half of the 1990’s. In 2013, India went on to promote the “fin-on” policy, i.e. landing of the entire shark. Subsequently India supported the trade regulations on species listed under CITES Appendix II in 2014. In February 2015, the Department of Commerce of the Ministry of Commerce, Government of India issued an order prohibiting the export and import of shark fins in India.
Sharks are characterised by slow growth, large size and longevity, slow turnover of generations, late maturation and production of few (but well-developed) off-springs. Low biological productivity makes them vulnerable to fishing, with limited chance for recovery. Given the wide-ranging distribution of sharks, including in the high seas, and long-distance migration of many species, it is increasingly important to have international cooperation for shark management plans. Food and Agriculture Organization with appropriate international expert consultation developed an International Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks (IPOA-Sharks), which was adopted in 1999. The guidelines for the IPOA-Sharks state that nations contributing to fishing mortality of shark stocks should participate in their conservation and management, that shark resources be used in a sustainable way, and that wastes and discards be minimised. Developing NPOA-Sharks following FAO guidelines on IPOA-sharks with action plans that can be reviewed and revised at periodic intervals, can be a powerful tool for sustainably managing shark populations. Implementing national action plans that adhere to international guidelines and also build on experiences drawn from other fisheries can help save endangered shark species from extinction. Being a major shark fishing nation (India is presently the second largest shark producing nation in the world, although sharks form a mere 1.2% of India’s marine fish production), it is important that India should evolve a National Plan of Action for sharks (NPOA-Sharks) and participate actively in their conservation and management. Development and implementation of the NPOA-Sharks calls for integrated research and discussion between R&D organisations, Government agencies, NGO’s and stakeholders including fishermen, traders and exporters.
This document entitled “Guidance on National Plan of Action for Sharks in India” is intended as a guidance to the NPOA-Sharks, and seeks to (1) present an overview of the currents status of India’s shark fishery, (2) assess the current management measures and their effectiveness, (3) identify the knowledge gaps that need to be addressed in NPOA-Sharks and (4) suggest a theme-based action plan for NPOA-Sharks.