Prohibition of Shark Fin Removal in the Sea
Introduction
The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate change (MoEFCC) has implemented a policy prohibiting the removal of shark fins on board vessels at sea. This measure aims to stop the inhumane practice of shark hunting and enable enforcement agencies to better monitor the illegal poaching of sharks, rays, and skates (collectively called elasmobranchs), particularly those listed in Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
Policy Provisions
- Under the policy, possession of shark fins not naturally attached to the shark’s body is deemed as “hunting” a Schedule I species. The MoEFCC has called for coordinated implementation of the policy by State Governments through appropriate legislative, enforcement, and awareness measures.
Ecological Role of Sharks
- Sharks play a crucial role in maintaining marine ecosystem balance, much like tigers and leopards in terrestrial ecosystems. India is home to about 40–60 shark species, some of which have seen drastic population declines due to overexploitation and unsustainable fishing practices. High demand for shark fins—used in shark fin soup—has led to cruel practices where sharks are caught at sea, their fins removed, and the de-finned sharks thrown back into the water to die. Such actions also make enforcement difficult because identifying shark species from fins alone is often impossible.