With a sharp decline in shark populations across the world and degrading health of marine ecosystems, the Humane Society International (HIS) India has petitioned leading airlines to end their role in the international trade in shark fins.
In their recent letters to – Jet Airways and Air India - HSI India has urged these airlines to institute a policy against shipment of shark fins. Research has pointed to the fact that India is the world’s second largest shark catching nation. Trade reports and undercover investigations have revealed that shark fins are most commonly transported from India to places like Hong Kong, Dubai and China as cargo on airlines.
HSI India’s managing director, N.G. Jayasimha, said: “Sharks are important to the survival and maintenance of healthy marine ecosystems… We encourage airline giants such as Jet Airways and Air India to end the role they are playing in a trade that is harming these keystone species.”
