Identifying leverage points for sustainability in India’s shark supply chains

Sharks are highly threatened by overfishing, but hold important subsistence, economic and cultural values for many communities globally, highlighting the need for sustainable and equitable fisheries management. A robust understanding of market structure and dynamics of shark trade, and how they may be driving their fishing and consumption, is needed to develop effective policies for sustainability. Our study described the actor types, supply chain and market dynamics of shark fishing in two sites (Goa and Kakinada) in India to identify leverage points for interventions. Shark meat, rather than fins, was found to be the main traded product at both sites. Shark harvest appeared to be driven predominantly by supply-side factors, although we also identified the importance of demand-side factors (like rising consumption) in influencing shark trade. In Goa, small-scale fishers emerged as the supply chain actors with whom interventions might have most leverage, as they seasonally targeted juvenile sharks, and were found to have relatively high access and negotiation power in the market. In Kakinada, wholesalers appeared to monopolise trade in shark products, particularly fins, and may be a pivotal leverage group. We describe the main uncertainties in our evidence, such as consumption patterns and motivations related to different shark products, to be addressed by future research. We outline a set of potential interventions and policies, from enhancing fisher access to increasing supply chain traceability, to improve the sustainability and socio-economic outcomes of shark trade.