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Illegal Marine Trade
The illegal trade in marine species is common in most coastal states, affecting the health of our ecosystem. The 2002 amendment to the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (IWPA) bans the trade, trapping and collection of corals, sea cucumbers, sea horses, sea fans, cetaceans, a few species of sharks and many shells. Internationally they are listed under Appendices I and II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
The illegal trade in marine species is common in most coastal states, affecting the health of our ecosystem. The 2002 amendment to the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (IWPA) bans the trade, trapping and collection of corals, sea cucumbers, sea horses, sea fans, cetaceans, a few species of sharks and many shells. Internationally they are listed under Appendices I and II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Apart from the species present in the state-run zoos and aquariums, no trade in terms of selling in the above-mentioned species is allowed.
Yet, banned marine resources are harvested and sold in local and international markets. According to World Wildlife Federation (WWF), India, the Gulf of Mannar, Mandapam and Rameshwaram region of Tamil Nadu, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep have become hubs for illegal marine trade (IMT) with an estimated trade of Rs 5 million a year. Their demand for live and dead products springs mostly from Southeast Asian countries and parts of Europe.
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