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Abstract

Sharks were not regarded as an important species among edible species and hence they were not targeted for commercial scale fishing in the past. Quite recently sharks gained importance as a commercial species since their fins and cartilages became commodities high in demand in international markets.

Large scale commercial exploitation of this species during recent years led to drastic decline in shark populations globally. Data available on shark fishing and finning are only scanty to arrive at any substantial assessment of this issue. However, available information on shark species recorded from Northwestern Atlantic indicated a decline of more than 50% in shark stock during the past 8 to 15 years period. Industrialized fishing contributed to about 80% reduction in community biomass within 15 years of the start of exploitation. Shark finning is against the guiding principles and aims of the UN–FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) International Action Plan for the conservation of sharks.

Introduction

Shark belong to the family Carcharhinidae and there are about 250 species ranging from 30 cm long dogfish to the huge basking shark and whale shark which reach a length of about 13.5 meters. They have a wide range of distribution in all the three major oceans. In the light of the low market value of sharks, fishermen did not consider this species for commercial fishing in olden days. But during recent years shark fins and cartilages got tremendous demand in Chinese and East Asian markets. As a result sharks are being caught indiscriminately which leads to drastic decline of shark population. Data available on shark fishing and finning are very scarse. However, the present report is an attempt to throw some light on this problem based on the available information reported by certain countries for their areas.

Trends In Shark Stock In The Ocean

Arecent survey conducted for Northwestern Atlantic region indicated more than 50% decline in the stock of many shark species.(Julia K. Baum et. al). For example, since 1986 he estimated stock declines were 89% for hammerheads, 80% for thresher shark, 79% for white sharks and 65% for tiger sharks. Data on stocks of kitefish shark (Dalatias licha) in the Azores, thornback ray (Raja clavata) in the North sea and spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias) in the Northeast Atlantic have also shown severe decline of these species indicating threat of depletion in the near future.

According to the results of a research report, the industrialized fisheries reduced community biomass by 80% within 15 years of the start of the exploitation. The Gulf of Thailand lost 60% of large finfish sharks and skates during the first 5 years of industrialized trawl fishing (Ransom A.Myers).

However, the decline in shark populations has become a cause of concern for Food & Agriculture Organization (FAO) which gives emphasis on global food security. In its 1999 International Plan of Action for the conservation and Management of sharks, the FAO recommended that member states implement National Plans of Action for sharks. The plan exhorts the member states for the retention of sharks from which the fins are removed and to minimize waste and discards from shark catches (Ann.1998).

Reasons For Shark Stock Decline

It may be difficult to assess the exact causes for the decline of shark stock in the ocean due to the practical difficulties involved in such a study. A host of factors could be attributed to this scenario .In international market, shark fins became a very profitable commodity for traders. This prompted many fishermen to use their vessels mainly for shark fishing for fins and also to remove the fins from sharks caught as by-catch in other fisheries.

Industrialized fishing techniques often led to over exploitation of many species whereas recruitments did not take place at a corresponding pace. Modern innovations in fishing methods and well equipped factory ships often facilitate indiscriminate fishing .

The practice of shark finning occurs at sea where perhaps the only witnesses are the crew members who benefit from the income from the fins. So even in countries where shark finning is prohibited by law, there is no efficient system for the implementation. Due to the practical problems faced in the field, only a few of the offenders could be brought to records and many evade the laws of the sea and engage in illegal shark finning.

These are times when many countries give due importance for eco-tourism. If shark fishing and finning continue at the current rate, it may lead to substantial depletion in the species and severe damage to the eco-system. Such a condition might adversely affect the developmental projects and their vulnerability.

Areview Of Case Studies From Certain Countries

There is not a systematic data recording system regarding shark fishing and finning in many countries. However, certain countries made attempts to assess the magnitude of this problem by conducting field surveys and collecting information from observations in their oceanic areas.

Australia

Vessels from certain other countries make incursions into Australia's northern and north western waters for illegal fishing for shark fins. According to the data collected, Australian authorities intercepted a total of 111 vessels in 2002 of which 108 were Indonesian and the rest were from countries such as Sri Lanka, Russia etc. This kind of violation of fishing regulations is being continued even now. However, Australian authorities are keen on intercepting the intruders to bring them under the purview of law and order.

Indonesia

Extensive shark fishing and finning operations take place in many of the 6000 inhabited islands of Indonesia. The export market is East Asia. Some of the Indonesian vessels make illegal incursions to the territorial waters of other countries and engage in large scale shark finning. Such law-breakers are caught and imprisoned by the Australian authorities at many occasions, but when they are released after the jail term they are found doing the same offence . Probably more stringent penalties are required to deter them repeating the crime.

Unlike in most countries, some of the Indonesian traders process the shark fins before exporting. But certain countries like Hong Kong and Taiwan prefer to import whole dried or frozen fins and do the processing by themselves.

Bali, Kupang and Surabaya are some of the centers in Indonesia where large scale shark finning and trading are going on. It is reported in Bali that shark cartilage is also a commodity for marketing. After the fin removal, shark bodies are often filtered and the cartilage collected. The rest of the body is then thrown out. Much of Bali's fin trade is controlled by Taiwanese traders.

Surveys conducted in some of the fishing villages in Indonesia indicated that the fin trade is rampant, totally uncontrolled and in the hands of local and foreign mafia-type organizations. Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan are the main buyers of fins from Indonesia. Mainland China receives Shark fins through the Hong Kong markets.

Costa Rica

A large number of foreign vessels operate from Costa Rica. They belong to Taiwan, Spain, Mexico, Ecuador, Venezuela etc. Some of these vessels catch sharks from outside Costa Rica's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and shark fins are sold at the international waters as per the pre-arrangement with traders. According to the law of the country, landing of fishery products at private docks is illegal. But some vessels land their catches at certain secure, barricaded docks during late night to unload huge volumes of shark fins. In order to counter this, the government introduced new legislation on July 16, 2003 which requires fishing vessels to undergo inspection at specified port before proceeding to a private dock.

Fiji Islands

South Africa

The Regulations Existing In Different Countries for Controlling Shark Fining

Oman

Brazil

Costa Rica

Ecuador

South Africa

The European Union

Mexico

Recommendations

1. Commercial scale shark fishing and finning and landing of national or foreign vessels with shark fins to their ports should be banned by all the countries through legislation. Such a law should be properly enforced to improve the dwindling shark stock in the ocean.
2. Severe penalties should be levied on violators of UN Law of the Sea in order to dissuade them from repeating the offence.
3. Legal measures should be adopted by all countries to combat mafia-type international trading in shark fins which is very active especially in South East and East Asian countries.
4. International bodies such as FAO (UN) with the co-operation of member countries should establish an efficient air and sea Task Force to control illegal trade in shark fin in international waters. Only a concerted international effort can bring about a global solution to the problem and conserve shark species from total extinction.

References

• Julia K. Baum; Ransom A Myers; Daniel G. Kehler; Boris Worm; Shelton J. Harley; Penny A. Doherty (2003) Science, Vol.299, Jan.17,2003
• Ransom. A .Myers and Borris Wom (2003) Rapid worldwide depletion of predatory fish communities, Nature Vol.423,May 15, 2003
• Ann.(1998) Report of the Consultation in the Management of Fishing capacity. Shark Fisheries and Incidental catch of seabirds in Long line Fisheries, Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN, Rome, Italy, Oct.26-30,1998.