Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, May 11: On Saturday, about 40 sharks, each weighing about 50 kg, and a large number of sharks weighing between 20 and 25 kg were found at the fishing dock in Bunder here. They were heaped there for auction, and commanded a price of about Rs 200 per kg in case of large sharks and Rs 110 per kg for smaller ones. This kind of fish is in great demand locally and is also being exported.

These sharks were caught by fishermen of Tamil Nadu during deep sea fishing. Although a display board about varieties of sharks which are barred from being hunted is planted at the fishing dock, even officials fail to properly differentiate between specific breeds of sharks that are banned from being caught, and those which are not banned.

Fishermen from Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts do not catch sharks. Fishermen from Tamil Nadu have expertise in using long liner fishing lines through trawlers and catching this kind of fish.

The fins, ears, tails, chest etc of sharks command high demand and they are dried, processed, and exported. The livers of sharks too are used to extract oil.