Title
Illegal Trade of Marine Species in India: 2015-2021
Author(s)
Rebecca Lewis; Karan Deshpande; Aristo Mendis; Vardhan Patankar; Uttara Mendiratta
Published
2022
Abstract
Overharvesting of marine wildlife to sustain a burgeoning demand from global markets has threatened marine biodiversity around the world. Trade in commercially important marine species has defined the recovery of the wild populations, threatening the survival of several species. And although many marine species have been accorded legal protection, illegal trade in these species continues. India, under its laws, has accorded protection to 42 individual species and six groups of marine species, including all sea cucumber, coral, syngnathidae (seahorse and pipefish), gorgonian (sea fan), calcarea (calcareous sponge), Indo-Pacific cetaceans (marine mammal) species, prohibiting harvest and trade in these species. Despite legal measures, poaching and illegal trade persist, threatening the local population of such species and subsequently the coastal habitats they thrive in. The assessment within this report aims to provide a brief overview of illegal marine trade in India between 2015 and 2021, using online media reports. One hundred eighty-seven media reports citing marine wildlife seizures in India were documented in this assessment. Illegal marine trade in seven species groups was recorded from the assessment, namely sea cucumber, coral, seahorse and pipefish, shark and ray, seashell, sea fan and sea turtle. Sea cucumbers were documented as the most frequently seized marine species group. Tamil Nadu recorded the highest enforcement action with 126 seizure incidents documenting marine species. The results of this study need to be read with consideration of the availability and variability of online media reports. A high number of seizure incidents alone does not always indicate a high frequency of wildlife crime, and it may be a result of effective enforcement or more media interest. Also, the numbers and volumes generated by such reports are likely to be a gross underestimate, as we do not have an understanding of marine wildlife crime incidents that are neither reported by the media nor detected by enforcement agencies. However, information from media reports on marine wildlife seizures does offer a glimpse of the nature and volume of the trade, which is otherwise poorly understood. This information can be valuable in guiding policy and enforcement strategies to combat the problem of illegal trade in marine species.
Full Citation
Lewis, R., K. Deshpande, A. Mendis, V. Patankar, and U. Mendiratta (2022). Illegal Trade of Marine Species in India: 2015-2021. Karnataka, India: Wildlife Conservation Society, India.

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