In a move to protect the endangered species, the Indian ministry of environment has banned the hunting of sharks for their fins that are sold abroad, according to an announcement.
In the barbaric practice of shark finning the shark's fins are cut off and then the shark is thrown back into the waters to die a slow and painful death. India is known to be one of the world's largest shark-catching nations, coming second only to Indonesia. This process has threatened the existence of the species, thanks to the rising demand for the Asian delicacy, shark fin soup. The sharks are also killed for their meat. Last year alone, fishermen exported $4.8 million in shark fins to China, according to an AP report.
According to another Humane Society International/India report, many foreign vessels in and around Indian waters have reportedly been engaging in shark finning, further endangering the shark population.
On Monday, India's Ministry of Environment and Forests took a bold step to curb this growing menace by banning shark "finning" in India. According to the new "Fins Naturally Attached" policy, fishermen who are found with detached fins could face up to seven years in prison under the assumption that any fins brought in alone are from a species protected under Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, even if they aren't.
The move was initiated by the Humane Society International/India, in collaboration with one of India's biggest fishing communities, the Deep Sea Going Artisanal Fishermen, and was supported by the Animal Welfare Board of India and other conservation groups.
"We are overjoyed at India's decision to adopt a fins naturally attached policy, which experts worldwide agree is necessary to protect sharks from the cruelty of finning. Humane Society International has been campaigning hard to see this policy enacted, and we are delighted authorities have taken this crucial step," said C. Samyukta, wildlife campaign manager for HSI/India, in a statement.
Conversationalists are hoping that the Indian government enforces the new policy as soon as possible so that this cruel practice of shark finning can be stopped.
"We appreciate the Government of India for taking this positive step to protect sharks by adopting the fins naturally attached policy. It's now important that this policy is fully enforced to safeguard the welfare of sharks, and to end the inhumane practice of finning in India. This will also provide sharks with a fair chance of survival, which in turns helps to maintain a balanced marine ecosystem," said Gajender Sharma of the World Society for Protection of Animals.
According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (UN FAO), loose or non-existent fishing regulations are putting shark populations in jeopardy worldwide. As many as 73 million sharks are killed for their fins each year, the report stated.
