The black market beneath the blue: Inside Maharashtra’s illegal marine wildlife trade

Bow-mouth Guitarfish

Protected sharks and rays - many facing extinction - are allegedly being openly sold on ice slabs at Maharashtra's busiest fish markets, in blatant violation of wildlife laws. A formal complaint by Honorary Wildlife Warden Rohan Bhate to the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) has flagged widespread illegal hunting, landing, sale and suspected export of protected marine species across Mumbai and the Konkan coast. Bhate said, "protected sharks, stingrays, wedge fishes, guitar fishes and electric rays continue to be sold despite protection under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, CITES listings and IUCN threat status".

Protected marine species allegedly being sold at a Mumbai fish market. Pics/By Special Arrangement

The disclosures have triggered an urgent, coordinated crackdown, raising serious questions over coastal enforcement. Authorities are directed to display identification charts of protected marine species at markets and landing centres, and step up coastal intelligence to bust organised trade networks.

Species allegedly sold illegally

Sharks: Meat consumed; fins traded separately
Stingrays: Meat sold despite protection
Wedge fishes: Locally consumed; fins highly prized
Guitar fishes: Consumed; often mislabelled
Electric rays: Rarely eaten; occasionally sold

Spinetail devil ray

Enforcement push

>> Joint action with the Fisheries Dept, Mangrove Cell, Wildlife Crime Control Bureau, Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute
>> Regular and surprise inspections at landing centres, markets, and transport hubs
>> Action under the Wildlife (Protection) Act
>> Checks to cover the entire supply and transport chain
>> Action taken report to be submitted in 30 days

Markets under scanner

Mumbai: Sassoon Dock; Bhau Cha Dhakka
Konkan: Mirkarwada fish landing centre
Ratnagiri: Harnai fish landing centre
Raigad: Alibag fish landing centre
Palghar: Palghar fish landing centre

Kolhapur seizure

Date: February 25
Species: Shortfin devil ray (Mobula kuhlii) - Schedule I
Action: Seized from seafood outlet; case WL 04/2026 registered
Status: Investigation ongoing