So, Its the shark bounty time on the Maharashtra coast. Like every year, even this year, thousands of sharks are being fished out in the small time frame between the last two weeks of July until the first week of August. These sharks come close to the shore to breed every year at this time and are fished out in staggering numbers. Here's a picture of a recent catch by one boat. (Mind you, there are 50 of these boats that go out everyday from one small town!) The catch is generally blacktip reef sharks. Adults, juveniles and very small babies as well. This year one interesting thing has been the catch of hammer head juveniles! 

Locally, people do not prefer eating shark meat. They are sold to exporters who buy them for as cheap as INR 200 (Approx $3) a kg. Apart from the little work that I have done with the local community, there has been no other conservation effort directed towards sustainable shark fishing in this region. Hope that someday, there will be more conservation efforts directed towards saving the apex predator of the ocean!