KARACHI: Experts at a workshop held on Tuesday emphasised the need for collecting data on shark landing in the country in order to have an improved management of shark fisheries.

They were speaking on the second day of a three-day workshop organised by the World Wide Fund for Nature-Pakistan (WWF-P) in collaboration with the ministry of climate change.

The speakers, which included officials of the marine fisheries department, National Institute of Oceanography, fisheries departments of both Sindh and Balochistan and the International Union for Conservation of Nature, recommended declaring three ecologically significant and endangered Chondrichthyian species (sawfishes, whale sharks and mobulids) as ‘Iconic Species’. The status would help create awareness of these marine animals, they said.

Most participants agreed with the key features of the national action plan presented during the workshop by the WWF-P for shark conservation and said it provided a viable mechanism for shark conservation in the country.

“The action plan highlights the areas of concern that need special and immediate attention for short and long-term goals. It also draws a road map for having an improved management system for shark fishery,” said Rab Nawaz representing the WWF-P while emphasising the need for establishing a database on shark fishery.

Director of biodiversity programme, climate change division, Naeem Ashraf Raja said that there were about 500 gillnet vessels and around 800 trawlers associated with fishing. However, data on landings was not available especially regarding sharks and rays as they were caught as a by-catch.

Pakistan, he pointed out, exported shark fins to countries like the Philippines, Thailand and Taiwan where they were in high demand. Shark meat was sold to local vendors while its skin was dried and used in poultry feed.

He suggested that the government may consider banning export of shark fins and products as a precautionary measure till clear management options were reached.

Director of Balochistan Coastal Development Authority Ahmed Nadeem shared local perspective on sharks and told the audience that traditional fishermen were well aware of sharks, the allied species and their role in the marine ecosystem.

He was of the view that whale sharks had been a non-targeted species in Balochistan.

“The rostrum of sawfish has a religious value as it was used to be displayed at some shrines in Balochistan to attract good fortune. Fishermen are ready to sacrifice their costly nets for releasing endangered species,” he said.

Published in Dawn, March 30th, 2016