The Seafood Exporters’ Association of India wants the recently-imposed ban on shark fin exports lifted.

The notification by Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) banning shark fin exports is “counterproductive and greatly affects the livelihood of the economically backward fishing communities living along both the East and West Indian coastlines”, said a statement issued by the Association here.

The order reflects apprehensions of environmentalists that shark population is fast depleting because of they are being caught just for their fins. However, the case with Indian fishermen is different. In India, shark is not a focussed fishery and is a by catch along with other fishes like king fish and tuna. The meat is salted and sold. Hence, shark is a decisive component for making fishermen activities economically viable, the seafood exporters have argued.

Figures from Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute show that shark catch along the East and West coasts of India has remained more or less steady over the past 20 years. Indian shark resource can be declared sustainable, the seafood exporters have claimed to back their demand for a lifting of the ban.

They have also said that the ban had been brought without any prior notice and that exporters have commitments and large stocks ready for shipment.

Source:thehindu.com