The ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) has suggested the zoning of “shark hotspots” in Indian Marine waters to enforce spatio-temporal fishing bans, in light of the declining shark catch rates. This policy focuses on preserving species that are on the brink of extinction, young individuals and breeding adults from targeted fishing.
The status of shark was presented to shark conservation consultative meeting and this was done by Dr. Shoba Joe Kizhakudan who is the head of the Finfish Fisheries Division at CMFRI. She stated that sharks have not evolved to withstand over-exploitation.
Many species of sharks, as they die more than they are born and live for more than 30 years, cannot reproduce fast enough. If juveniles are in landings too, the population will be lost,” she said.As per the findings of CMFRI, landings of the elasmobranch group, the sharks, rays, and guitarfishes, decreased by about 55 per cent between 2012 and 2022.
CMFRI’s research on sharks drew the attention of CMFRI Director Dr. A. Gopalakrishnan.”, which was declared as CMFRI would focus on the complex interplay between fishing activities and other factors influencing shark population over the next five years.
The institute has emerged as India’s Scientific Authority designated by CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) and is involved in conducting NDF (Non- Detrimental Finding) studies on CITES-listed marine species. So far, the institute has already completed six NDF documents on eleven species,” he concluded.
The research director also opined that CMFRI does annual landing estimates of the 121 species of elasmobranchs in the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
‘’CMFRI is consulting Oman’s Government as to the subject of shark taxonomy identification tool both classical and genetic as well as in the development of shark and ray research programmes,” Dr. A. Gopalakrishnan, the Director of CMFRI, said to the press release.