About Sharks
- 'Shark' is used as an 'envelope term' and comprises true sharks, rays, skates and chimaeras (together comprising the class Chondrichthyes ie cartilaginous fish).
- Sharks generally live in marine environments. However, species such as Bull Shark and River Shark can be found in both seawater and freshwater.
- Apex predators: Most sharks are predators and top of the marine food chain and therefore known as tiger of oceans. They feed on wide variety of species. Examples tiger shark, blue shark etc.
- Habitats: Sharks live fresh and intertidal waters to the open ocean, continental shelf and deep slope to ocean floor at depths of over 4,000 metres. Most shark species are found in temperate and tropical seas, but some species are also found in Arctic and Antarctic waters.
- Shark landings: Estimated landings of sharks were around 0.69 million tonnes in 2019. Atlantic Ocean and its surrounding seas produce 40% of global shark catches followed by Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean. Blue sharks are by far the most common of dozen commercially important shark species captured.
- Largest Shark: Whale Shark is a slow moving, filter feeding carpet shark and is the largest extant fish species in the world. They inhabit open waters of all tropical oceans. The feed almost exclusively on plankton and small fishes and pose no threat to humans.
- Smallest Shark: Dwarf Lanternshark is the smallest shark species in the world. It has a maximum known length of around 20 cm. It is found at a depth of around 250-500 m in the Northern tip of South America and Caribbean Sea. Like other lantern sharks, dwarf lantern sharks, dwarf lantern shark has light emitting organs called photophores which help them camouflage and attracts its prey.
- All species of Sharks were placed under Schedule-I of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 (Highest Protection).
Importance of Sharks in Marine Ecosystem
- One of the oldest living organisms with an evolutionary history of over 400 million years. They predate dinosaurs.
- Keystone species and apex predators of marine ecosystem
- Keep prey population healthy by feeding on the sick and week members of their prey population.
- Keep seagrass beds and other vital habitats healthy
Economic & Commercial importance of sharks
- Shark meat: Sharks have been traditionally used as food in coastal areas. According to FAO, in 2019
- Shark fins: Sharks fins are one of the most expensive fish products primarily used in preparing shark fin soup which is primarily consumed by Chinese ethnic groups in South East Asia and China.
- Shark oil products: Traditionally shark's liver (Known as cod liver oil) was a rich source of Vitamin A. However, Vitamin A is manufactured.
Need for protecting sharks
- Slow growth
- Late age at maturity
- Low fecundity and productivity (small, infrequent litters)
- Long gestation periods
- High natural survivorship for all age classes
- Long life spans
Status of shark fishery in India
- India is the third largest shark fishing nation after Indonesia accounting for 6% of global shark catches in terms of weight.
- Andhra Pradesh is the largest producer of sharks, followed by Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and Maharashtra.
- Most sharks harvested in India come from non-targeted mixed catch. However, targeted shark fisheries are found among Thoothoor fishermen of Kanyakumari (Tamil Nadu) and Veraval (Gujarat).
- Shark meat is a local delicacy, especially in south India.
Major issues needing focus for Shark Conservation
- Indications of decline in shark biomass and species diversity.
- Sharks are associated fisheries and catch composition.
- Inadequate monitoring, control and surveillance, including gaps in data collection and identification of species.
- Fractured view of different stakeholder groups on the status of shark and acceptable conservation measures.
- Research gaps covering areas of taxonomy, biological aspects, gear targeting sharks, real time data, distribution and socio-economic profit.
- Lack of a holistic framework to address the above issues.
Purpose and scope of NPOA-SHARKS
- Conservation and management of sharks and their long-term sustainable use.
- NPOA Sharks aims to conserve and manage shark populations based on Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries.
- 'Sharks' are defined as all species in the class Chondrichthyes and includes sharks, skates, rays and chimaeras.
- Applies to shark species found within India's EEZ and Territorial Sea, migratory species frequenting India's EEZ and Territorial Sea and species taken by India-flagged vessels fishing on the High Seas.
- Bridge research and information gaps on the status of sharks at species level.
- Understand socio-economic implications of conservation and management of sharks to design sustainable exploitation policies.
- Managing negative impacts of shark fishing.
Proposed actions under NPOA-SHARKS
- Do not promote direct catching of sharks till sufficient scientific evidence is there.
- Implement comprehensive fisheries MCS plan at the earliest.
- Identify and ascertain shark breeding grounds and shark breeding period and agree on conservation measures such as seasonal ban or specific area closures.
- Initiate research to catalogue shark in Indian waters through genetic coding. Develop species specific indicators using fisheries and survey data.
- Awareness drive among stakeholders, share research findings with fishermen and encourage fishermen and their associations to monitor and report shark catches.
- Initiate research on value addition for sharks and share findings with the community.
- Encourage ecotourism and reef shark diving.
- Ensure effective implementation of fin-attached policy of the Government and initiate research on value addition for sharks and share the findings with the community.
- Review shark export policy, encourage value addition.
- Introduce logbook system; develop national shark identification kit; build awareness; mobilize fishermen association and build research skill in taxonomy as well as data collection skills of enumerators from agencies involved in data collection.
- Review policy on reporting of catch of prohibited species or species protected under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972; and encourage regional integration.
About Bay of Bengal Program - Inter-Governmental Organisation (BOB-IGO)
- BOB-IGO is a unique regional fisheries body specifically mandated to assist the member countries to enhance cooperation and provide technical and management advisory services for sustainable marine fisheries development.
- Objectives of the BOBP-IGO are to increase awareness and knowledge of the needs, benefits and practices of marine fisheries management; enhance skills through training and education; transfer appropriate technologies and techniques for development of the small-scale fisheries; establish regional information networking; and promote women's participation in marine fisheries value chain.
- Member Countries: Bangladesh, India, Maldives and Sri Lanka.
- Non-contracting parties: Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar and Thailand.