News
India Bans Shark Finning
India’s ministry of environment has announced that it has banned the hunting of sharks for only their fins.
According to the new law, fishermen found with hauls of shark fins will face up to seven years in prison. Numerous shark species can be found in the waters off India’s coast, several of them endangered, including hammerheads, whale sharks and broadfins.
The practice of shark “finning,” or slicing off a shark’s fins and throwing it back to die slowly on the ocean floor, is big business thanks to demand from China, Hong Kong and other parts of Asia where shark fin soup is considered a delicacy.
India is the world’s second largest shark-catching nation after Indonesia, so it’s no surprise that the move has applauded by marine conservationists from around the globe.
However, with the majority of the finning and the trading of fins occurring offshore, experts are saying that it is vital that the ban is now enforced.
Rajeev Mathen Mathew, expert committee member of AP Biodiversity Board, says, “Sharks are caught offshore.
Fishermen on foreign vessels on the borders of territorial waters of India have been reportedly engaged in shark finning. It is very difficult to monitor these transactions offshore where the trading is done. The policy on paper will not help. There must be strict vigilance and it has to be implemented.”
C. Samyuktha of Humane Society International, says, “We are overjoyed at India’s decision to adopt a Fins Naturally Attached policy, which experts worldwide agree is necessary to protect sharks from the cruelty of finning. Humane Society International has been campaigning hard to see this policy enacted, and we are delighted that authorities have taken this crucial step.”
Bhanu Sridharan of Researchers for Wildlife Conservation said that in the long term the Central government must develop an effective mechanism for preventing illegal foreign fishing vessels from engaging in shark finning in Indian waters as this is detrimental to marine biodiversity and to the livelihoods of Indian fishing communities.
Provided the ban is seriously enforced, it will give sharks a fair chance of survival, which in turns helps maintain a balanced marine ecosystem, said Gajender Sharma of World Society for Protection of Animals.
Blogs
Four opportunities to go pro in 2024 with Dive Friends Bonaire
Dive Friends teaches the Instructor Development Course (IDC) several times a year to students who are eager to share their passion for diving with the world.
Dive Friends is known for the personal approach throughout the course. Their in-house course director will lead the students through every essential step, mentoring them to achieve their fullest potential as a dive instructor.
Applications for the following IDC start dates are now open:
- 12 April
- 5 July,
- 20 September
- 29 November
Partnership with Casita Palma
If the student opts for the IDC-Deluxe or IDC-Supreme package, their accommodation will be arranged for them at Casita Palma. This small and quiet resort is within walking distance from Dive Friends Bonaire’s main dive shop location and has everything you need to relax after an intense day of IDC training. Breakfast is included, so the student will always be fuelled and ready for their day.
Contact Dive Friends Bonaire’s Course Director Eddy for more information: coursedirector@divefriendsbonaire.com.
Blogs
SOMABAY: Scubaverse Trip Review (Watch Video)
In a video created exclusively for Scubaverse.com, Jeff Goodman visits SOMABAY in the Egyptian Red Sea to experience the diving on offer there.
Book your next Red Sea dive adventure with SOMABAY! For more information, visit www.somabay.com.
Stay at the Breakers Diving & Surfing Lodge when you visit! For more information, visit www.thebreakers-somabay.com.
Find out more about ORCA Dive Clubs at SOMABAY at www.orca-diveclubs.com/en/soma-bay-en.
-
Blogs3 months ago
‘Simply the Best’ – Quintessential Red Sea Diving
-
News2 months ago
Hone your underwater photography skills with Alphamarine Photography at Red Sea Diving Safari in March
-
News2 months ago
Capturing Critters in Lembeh Underwater Photography Workshop 2024: Event Roundup
-
Marine Life & Conservation Blogs3 months ago
Creature Feature: Nurse Sharks
-
News3 months ago
Join Lembeh Resort’s Macro Photography Workshop with Scott Gutsy Tuason this April
-
Miscellaneous Blogs3 months ago
Book Review: The Lives of Seaweeds
-
Marine Life & Conservation Blogs2 months ago
Creature Feature: Swell Sharks
-
Blogs3 months ago
A day in the life of Marsa Shagra with Sea to Sky