Absent sharks over a decade appear in Indian markets

The Ganges shark is part of an extremely dangerous group of animals sold in a fish market in India.

Photograph of the 2.6-meter Ganges shark shared in a study published March 6 in the journal Fish Biology, according to IFL Science. With funding coming from Our Seas Foundation, this study is the result of shark specimens coming ashore for nearly two years, in which scientists photograph, interview and measure catch and trade sharks. sold at Sassoon Docks pier.

Ganges sharks are very rare due to their hiding nature.(Photo: Twitter).

Researchers know very little about Ganges sharks (Glyphis gangeticus) . Much of this knowledge of this rare freshwater fish comes from three specimens in the museum in the nineteenth century. Located in the extremely endangered group, the Ganges shark has not been present for more than a decade.

The team photographed the female shark in February 2016. They identify it based on the round muzzle, small eyes and fin characteristics only found in this species. However, they could not measure or sample tissue due to the fast transaction rate of fishermen and traders at the market. They were also unsure of the location of the catch, but speculated that it could be located along the northeast coast of the Arabian Sea.

This is not only the first discovery of the Ganges shark after more than a decade, but also the first field observation of this species. Other records came from six jaw bones provided by Pakistani fishermen and merchants.

"There are very few samples of Ganges sharks around the world. All the information we have is based on conservation specimens from the last century or from jaw bones found in remote villages , " Rima Jabado, Elasmo Bay project founder, shared.

The distribution status and the severity of the Ganges sharks are difficult to pinpoint due to lack of specimens. Researchers believe that they live in both river and sea environments, which are severely affected by human development.