The Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) has announced the formation of a special committee to scientifically study the issues on shark fishing and trade in India, arising from the amended provisions of India’s Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
The amendment, which came into force in 2022, has placed numerous species of sharks and rays under different schedules of the act, imposing strict regulations on their catch, trade, and export. This has led to widespread unease and operational difficulties for fishermen across the country’s coastline, who often encounter these species as by-catch, according to a release issued here.
