Scientific Overview Of Broadfin Shark Specie

The Broadfin shark (Lamiopsis temminckii) is a rare fish and distributed irregularly in Pakistan, India, Burma, Indonesia, Sarawak and China. It is found on continental shelf, mostly near to shore. This specie is captured at bottom mostly by floating gillnets and line gear but sometimes in small numbers by local fishers off Karachi, Bombay and Indonesia. Meat of this fish is used for human consumption, its fins are dried and used for trade and vitamin oil is produced from its liver. Once this specie was known to be common in western coast of India but now it seems to be rare throughout the majority of its range. Fewer numbers of this specie are observed in heavily fished areas like Indonesia indicating its population depletion. Due to its rare presence and heavily unregulated fishing pressure throughout its range and evidence of its decline in India, Broadfin shark (Lamiopsis temminckii) is globally assessed as endangered.

The Broadfin shark (Lamiopsis temminckii) has not yet been listed by Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.

Geographic range description

The Broadfin shark (Lamiopsis temminckii) is found in Pakistan, India, Burma, Indonesia, Sarawak, China, west pacific and Indian Ocean.

Physical description

Its body shape is fusiform. They have placoid scales. They have no dorsal spines, dorsal soft rays, anal spines and anal soft rays.

Body coloration

The color of its body is grey or yellow grey above and lighter below. There are no conspicuous marking on its body

Reproduction

They are viviparous. They show internal mode of fertilization and development through placenta. They show distinct pairing with embrace. Gestation period 8 months Litter size 4 to 8 young per litter Size at birth 40 to 60 cm.

Habitat and Ecology

They live in marine ecosystems. Once their population was very common at the west coast of India but now it is rare throughout of its range. Current population trend is decreasing. The Broadfin shark (Lamiopsis temminckii) is found on continental shelf mostly near shore. Viviparous specie gives birth to 4 to 8 pups after 8 months of gestation period. These pups are 40-60 cm long when born and then grow upto 168 cm. Males of this specie mature at the size of 114 cm while females <130 cm. They feed on small fishes and invertebrates.

Use and trade Meat of this fish is used for human consumption. Its fins are dried and used for trade. Its liver is used for making vitamin oil.

Threats

Local fishers of Pakistan, India, Sarawak and Indonesia caught this fish regularly. They take them by floating gillnets and line gear. Meat of this fish is used for human consumption. Its fins are dried and used for trade. Its liver is used for making vitamin oil. They are threatened by habitat removal and destruction like inshore mangrove areas. These habits are spreading throughout of its range. As this specie lives at inshore, pollution from liver outflow is also a possible threat.

Conservation actions

There is collection of few specimens in museum. There is need for investigations in areas at which this specie was known to be common.