Shark Finning (Ecology)
Shark Finning (Ecology)Why In News:Global and Indian concern over shark finning was highlighted, the practice of slicing off a shark's fins, usually for the shark fin soup trade, and discarding the rest of the body at sea. The practice remains a major threat to shark populations, which play a crucial ecological role as apex predators.Source: The Hindu, Page 20, 20 July 2026 - 'Finning: cruel, wasteful practice'Why Shark Finning is a ConcernSharks are slow growing and late maturing, making their populations highly vulnerable to overexploitation compared to most other fish species.As apex predators, sharks regulate marine food webs; their decline can trigger cascading effects on fish populations and coral reef and seagrass ecosystem health.India is among the largest shark landing nations globally, making the issue particularly relevant to its fisheries and conservation policy.Legal and Policy FrameworkThe Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 protects certain shark and ray species under its schedules; the whale shark, the world's largest fish, is listed under Schedule I, granting it the highest level of protection.Several shark species such as the whale shark, basking shark, and great white shark, are listed under Appendix II of CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species), regulating international trade to ensure it does not threaten survival.India has a National Plan of Action for Sharks, under its broader National Plan of Action for the conservation and management of fisheries.Key Facts for PrelimsCITES: The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is an international agreement that countries and regional organizations join voluntarily.CITES came into force in July 1975 and currently has 185 Parties (including countries and regional economic organizations).Objective: To ensure that international trade in wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.The CITES Secretariat, administered by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), is based in Geneva, Switzerland, and provides coordination, advisory, and administrative support.The Conference of the Parties (CoP) is the highest decision-making body of CITES and includes all member Parties.The IUCN Red List classifies the extinction risk status of species, including numerous shark species now listed as vulnerable or endangered.