The great shark hunt

By SNV Sudhir


Visakhapatnam, Aug. 10: Sharks may soon disappear from the Bay of Bengal. Thanks to the greedy fishermen who are killing these predators for its fins between the Srikakulam and Kakinada coast. Sharks are a highly endangered species according to the Red Data Book of International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources.

Shark fins are very popular in some Asian countries and this prompts fishermen to net them without compunction or second thoughts. Shark fin soup is a prized delicacy in some countries while according to Chinese traditional medicine, the fins are used to strengthen the waist, supplement vital energy, nourish blood, reinvigorate the kidneys and lungs and improve digestion. Powdered shark fins are also highly sought after as an aphrodisiac in Asian markets. According to the Wildlife Act 1972, hunting, trading and consumption of sharks can attract prison term of seven years and fine of Rs 25,000. However, this has not curbed the trade.

Overfishing in the Bay of Bengal has led to the decline of several species of fishes. This has forced fishermen to hunt sharks to make an easy buck. Fishermen use Beach Land Crafts to catch sharks in the waters off Vizag coast using hooks. Though it is against the law, they conduct open auctions of sharks at the fishing harbour close to the fisheries department. An average sized shark weighing between 60 to 100 kg would fetch the local fisherman about Rs 1,300.

However, the fisheries department assistant director, Mr Mohammed Basha, said that no cases had been booked in connection with shark fishing. Officials also feigned ignorance of the auction. Traders buy these sharks openly from the fishermen, cut the dorsal, pectoral and tail fins, dry them and sell them to other traders at Chennai. From Chennai these fins go to markets of other Asian countries. Fishermen do not get much money by selling shark meat and it is solely because of the demand for fins that they go after the big fish aggressively. The price increases once the fins reach Asian markets. In cities such as Singapore, Taiwan and Hong Kong, a bowl of shark fin soup costs $90. It is also a favourite delicacy in China . Shark’s fin is prized for its slippery and glutinous texture that provides a thickened soup without cornstarch. And Chinese people also believe that shark’s fin strengthens the internal organs and retards aging.

Sharks are also a tremendous source of cartilage. Unlike many fish, which have bony skeletons, shark skeletons are made entirely of cartilage, which grows throughout the animal’s life. Shark cartilage pills are advertised as cure-alls for any number of ailments and diseases. Most of the fins caught in the state go to Hong Kong and other parts of China , Japan , Singapore , Thailand and South Korea .

Studies conducted by researchers of Andhra University revealed that around 12 kinds of shark species are found in the Bay of Bengal between Srikakulam and Kakinada . "Even though the ingestion of shark fin is believed to enhance virility, scientifically, fin does not have the necessary composition," says Prof D.E. Babu, head of the department of zoology in Andhra University .

However he adds that shark meat does enhance the immune system and strengthens the joints apart from improving circulation. "Sharks have a long life span, don’t reach sexual maturity until they are 12 to 20 years old, and even then have a low reproductive rate," says Mr Babu. This means that aggressive fishing would have a major impact in the shark population.

"Sharks cannot breed fast enough to keep up with the current demand," said Mr Babu. "Many shark species are now threatened with extinction. Dropping shark populations could spell big trouble for the ocean ecosystems so crucial to life on earth."