Experts have called for a stronger conservation framework with enforcement and community participation to curb the growing threat of illegal marine wildlife trade in India.
A national capacity-building workshop at the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute brought together 27 enforcement officials and scientists to discuss a holistic conservation strategy.
Participants stressed the need for coordinated action, continuous monitoring, and transparent dialogue with fishing communities to address misconceptions surrounding marine conservation.
Studies have shown that India recorded 17 incidents involving seizures of illegal shark derivatives between 2010 and 2022, with shark fins accounting for nearly 82% of the total seizures.
The workshop highlighted the importance of building a robust enforcement network, adopting technology-driven surveillance mechanisms, and legislation aligned with societal needs and ecosystem requirements.
