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By Express News Service Published: 22nd August 2016 03:26 AM Last Updated: 22nd August 2016 03:26 AM

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Fishermen in coastal Thiruvananthapuram catchthree rare species of shark

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Here's proof of how rich and varied the marine biodiversityof our coastal waters is. Over the past one week, �shermen in coastalThiruvananthapuram trapped three rare species of shark, all three listed as'Vulnerable' and 'Near Threatened' in the IUCN Red List. A local marine biodiversitygroup identi�ed the sharks as the 'Common Thresher' (Alopius vulpinus or'Maanasraavu' in Malayalam), the Short�n Mako Shark (Isurus oxyrinchus,'Pannisraavu' in Malayalam) and the Tiger Shark (Galeocerdo cuvier, or, inMalayalam, 'Kaduva Sraavu').

The sharks were identi�ed by the Friends of Marine Life (FML), a marine biodiversitygroup based in Valiyathura. "The sharks were identi�ed as part of a documentationof marine biodiversity we are conducting. The �shermen said the sharks werecaught 300 kms off Thiruvananthapuram at depths of 200 metres," marineresearcher and FML convener Robert Panipilla said. Both these species are listed'Vulnerable' in the IUCN list owing to their massive commercial exploitation byhumans.

The Common Thresher can reach upto six metres in length, while the Short�n Mako

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Shark can grow over three metres in length and weigh over 60 kgs. Also called the'Sea Tiger,' the Tiger Shark, listed as 'Near Threatened' was trapped at a distance 100kms off the Thiruvananthapuram coast. This shark species was �rst identi�ed in 1822.

The Common Thresher and the Short�n Mako Shark usually inhabit troughs betweenunderwater sand dunes. It is sad that such discoveries usually go unreported bygovernment agencies on time although various government-level institutions areactive in the state. ''Also, it is sad that the knowledge of traditional �shermen in thesematters is not properly documented,'' Panipilla said.

In July, as part of its study, FML had discovered four new species of sea slugs in thecoastal waters off Thiruvananthapuram. These species were recorded for the �rsttime in the country, and discovery was con�rmed at the just-concluded WorldCongress of Malacology 2016 held at Penang, Malaysia. In early August, �shermen inthe district had accidentally trapped an adult �nless porpoise and a calf (LittleIndian Porpoise - Neophocaena phocaenoides).

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Fishermen in coastal Thiruvananthapuram catch ... http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/thiruvan...

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