Marking World Shark Awareness Day on 14 July, the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) is spearheading a new initiative to boost shark conservation efforts in India.
The CMFRI is hosting a high-level workshop and panel discussion bringing together key stakeholders in fisheries management, enforcement, biodiversity conservation and marine trade.
The event gains added importance in light of India’s recent inclusion of several shark and ray species under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Representatives from state fisheries and wildlife departments, the coast guard, navy, customs, the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau, NGOs and exporters will come together to strengthen enforcement and improve species identification capacities.
“This initiative is vital in raising awareness about CITES-listed species [Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora] and in equipping agencies to implement science-based non-detriment findings (NDF) for trade monitoring,” said Dr Shoba Joe Kizhakudan, head of CMFRI’s Finfish Fisheries Division.
“The CITES plays a vital role in regulating international trade to ensure it does not threaten the survival of listed species. Over 40 shark and ray species are now listed, necessitating science-based NDFs for export permits.”
