ASIA'S FAD FOR SHARK FIN BITES INTO ENDANGERED SPECIES

By P. Vijian

COIMBATORE (India), June 22 (Bernama) -- The surging demand for shark fins
has taken a big bite on the survival of endangered sharks in India.

At least, two species of sharks -- widely sought for aphrodisiac properties
and commonly used to prepare exotic soup in south Asian countries -- have gone
missing over the last two decades.

This is a direct result of Indian fishermen in states like Andhra Pradesh,
Orissa and Tamil Nadu continuing to hunt the large voracious fish to reap good
returns in the black market.

"Shark fin is in good demand in China, Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia
because of the aphrodisiac and therapeutic properties.

"It is becoming a major concern now because rural fishermen are hunting for
sharks and some species are going extinct.

"At least, two species like the saw-headed (pristis shark) and the hilsa
keele are facing extinction," Prof D. E. Babu, head of the Zoology Department in
Andhra University told Bernama today.

Although shark hunting is banned internationally, fishermen and middlemen
prey on them to feed the multi-million dollar global industry -- which is hungry
for their meat and fins -- mainly in Asian markets.

Near Visakhapatnam harbour in Andhra Pradesh alone, about 20 to 50 sharks
(weighing between two and 50kg) are caught daily, and according to media
reports, about 1,000 sharks die at the hands of fishermen monthly in this
coastal city.

Their fins are dried and exported by illegal means to buyers in foreign
markets.

The Times of India reported that fishermen could easily sell a shark for
Rs10,000 (US$217.24), while middlemen earn Rs3,000 (US$65.2) to Rs4,000
(US$86.9) for each fin.

A shark grows five to 10 fins, depending on the species.

According to international shark specialists, annually over 100 million
sharks are killed globally for their fins, with a kilogramme of dried shark fin
costing nearly US$300 at retail price.
-- BERNAMA