• SL is one of the highest-risk countries for Elasmobranchii mortality
•  Making their conservation here an urgent ecological priority

As global authorities gather to address the fate of one of the world's most threatened marine predators, Sri Lanka finds itself at the epicentre of a silent crisis. With recent research branding us as one of the highest-risk countries globally for shark and ray mortality, the delicate balance between coastal livelihoods and marine conservation has never been more precarious. In an interview with The Daily Morning, a Researcher at the Blue Resources Trust, Shownath Sitsabeshan discusses the findings from the recent Sharks International conference held this year (2026), the critical state of Sri Lanka’s 105 Elasmobranchii species, and why the fate of these ancient fish is inextricably linked to the health of the island's future.

Following are excerpts of the interview:

What is the scientific definition of a shark? How does a shark differ from other fish? What are the species and genera available in Sri Lankan waters?

Sharks are cartilaginous fish belonging to the subclass Elasmobranchii. Unlike bony fishes, their skeletons are composed entirely of cartilage, and they possess five to seven exposed gill slits, tooth-like scales, and highly developed sensory systems, including electroreceptors and a lateral line.

Sharks are also unusual among fish in that they grow slowly, mature late, and produce only a few young at a time, a life history closer to long-lived mammals like leopards or dolphins than to typical fish. This slow pace makes it hard for shark populations to recover once overfished, which is part of why sharks and rays are considered one of the most threatened groups of vertebrates today.

Sri Lankan waters support 105 Elasmobranchii species, including sharks from groups such as requiem sharks (Carcharhinus), hammerhead sharks (Sphyrna), thresher sharks (Alopias), the blue shark (Prionace), the whale shark (Rhincodon), the tiger shark (Galeocerdo), mako sharks (Isurus), the whitetip reef shark (Triaenodon), bamboo sharks (Chiloscyllium), and gulper sharks (Centrophorus), among others.

Are there any species of shark endemic to Sri Lanka?

No shark species are currently confirmed as strictly endemic to Sri Lanka. However, the winghead shark (Eusphyra blochii), the most evolutionarily divergent member of the hammerhead family Sphyrnidae, is critically endangered and known from only three confirmed locations worldwide: Northern Australia, Papua New Guinea, and Sri Lanka. Within Sri Lanka, its occurrence is restricted entirely to the Baththalangunduwa region on the North-Western coast, making this population globally irreplaceable. It is landed as incidental bycatch in coastal gillnet fisheries, particularly in six-inch drift gillnets targeting bony fish species and 18-inch bottom-set gillnets targeting rays.

Are there any seasonal species that come to Sri Lankan waters during particular periods of time?

Yes. Sri Lanka's two monsoon systems drive seasonal shifts in ocean productivity that influences shark distributions. Large pelagic species such as whale sharks, blue sharks, silky sharks, oceanic whitetip sharks, and hammerheads are encountered more frequently during periods of monsoon-driven upwelling on either coast. Mobulid rays similarly show seasonal aggregation patterns linked to prey availability. Genetic work on bull sharks confirms that Sri Lankan populations belong to a broadly connected Indo-Pacific cluster, meaning that seasonal visitors may originate from populations spanning the wider Indian Ocean. And also, there is no specific seasonal shark species in the coastal fishery; incidental catch can be seen year-round.

What is their role in the ecosystem? Why are they important? Why should we discuss this particular fish?

As apex and mesopredators, sharks regulate prey populations, maintain trophic balance, and prevent cascading ecosystem collapses. Even their presence alone alters prey behaviour and habitat use across entire reef systems. Global Baited Remote Underwater Video surveys across 36 countries have confirmed that reef shark abundance is directly tied to the health of coral reef ecosystems. Their decline leads to mesopredator release, the degradation of seagrass beds, and declines in commercially important fishery species. Sri Lanka is identified as one of the highest-risk countries globally for Elasmobranchii mortality, making their conservation here an urgent ecological priority.

What are the threats to sharks in Sri Lankan waters?

The greatest threat is overexploitation through both targeted fishing and accidental capture. Sri Lanka's drift gillnet fleet catches large numbers of sharks as bycatch, and vessels regularly fish beyond the country's own waters into neighbouring countries' territory. The international shark fin trade is a major driver of this overfishing globally. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) — a global agreement that regulates, and, in some cases, restricts international trade in species under threat — listed five threatened shark species for protection. Despite this, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) testing of over 16,000 fin samples from Hong Kong's market showed that fins from four of these species remained common and stable in trade between 2015 and 2021, pointing to continued illegal trading. Sri Lanka has had fin shipments seized at Hong Kong's border for non-compliance.

Locally, the demand for shark meat is a significant and an often-overlooked threat, particularly for coastal species. Shark meat is widely consumed fresh and dried in Sri Lanka, partly driven by a belief that it carries particular health benefits. This local demand means that sharks caught as bycatch are rarely discarded, so even animals not deliberately targeted still end up sold and consumed rather than released. Other threats include habitat degradation, pollution, and climate change.

What are the myths and misconceptions about sharks in Sri Lanka? What is the truth about shark aggression?

The most common misconception is that all sharks are dangerous man-eaters. In reality, most species pose no threat to humans and actively avoid contact. Species such as blacktip and whitetip reef sharks, commonly encountered around Sri Lanka, are generally shy and non-aggressive. Another widespread belief in coastal Sri Lanka is that eating baby shark meat boosts milk production in lactating mothers. There is no scientific evidence to support this, and the practice adds extra pressure on already vulnerable shark populations, since killing juveniles before they have had the chance to reproduce is especially damaging to a species' ability to recover. The reality is closer to the opposite of the "dangerous predator" myth: underwater camera surveys conducted worldwide show that shark numbers actually decline in areas with high human presence and fishing activity, not the other way around. Humans pose a vastly greater threat to sharks than sharks do to humans, as shown by the steep population declines documented across Sri Lankan fisheries.

Are there any fatalities reported in Sri Lankan waters? If so in which areas?

Fatal shark attacks in Sri Lanka are extremely rare. Historical records mention occasional incidents near Colombo and Trincomalee, but, confirmed serious attacks remain uncommon by any international standard. Sri Lanka does not feature prominently in global shark attack databases despite its extensive coastline and large numbers of fishers and swimmers sharing water with sharks year-round. Entering the water means entering the shark's home, and most incidents happen when people and sharks’ cross paths unexpectedly in murky water or near fishing activity. Avoiding dawn, dusk, and areas with bait or fishing nearby cuts the risk sharply.

Are there any sharks in inland water sources, or are there any sharks in non-salt waters?

The bull shark (Carcharhinus leucas) is the best-known species capable of tolerating freshwater, and has been documented thousands of kilometres up major rivers worldwide. In Sri Lanka, bull sharks have been reported in estuarine and riverine systems connected to the sea. Genomic research confirms that Sri Lankan bull sharks belong to the Western and Central Indo-Pacific genetic cluster, the oldest and most genetically diverse of the three global bull shark populations, making their conservation in Sri Lankan freshwater systems a matter of broader regional significance.

There's also a specific case worth correcting: a 2014 report claimed sightings of a Pondicherry shark (Carcharhinus hemiodon) — an extremely rare, possibly extinct species — in Sri Lanka's Menik River. When the photos were reviewed for the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List assessment, experts identified the animal as a juvenile bull shark instead. So, while bull sharks do use Sri Lanka's freshwater systems, that particular record was a misidentification.

As a food source, what is the importance of sharks? Is it nutritious?

As a food source, sharks contribute to the diet and livelihoods of many coastal fishing communities, including in Sri Lanka, where their meat is consumed locally and sometimes traded through established supply chains. Shark meat is generally rich in protein and provides nutrients such as omega-three fatty acids and essential minerals, making it a potentially nutritious food. However, the nutritional benefits must be weighed against potential health risks, as sharks, particularly larger or longer-lived species — can accumulate heavy metals such as mercury in their tissues. In addition, the consumption of threatened shark species is discouraged, as many populations are already under significant pressure from fishing, similar to how threatened terrestrial wildlife is not considered a sustainable food source.

Has Sri Lanka done any estimate or survey on sharks?

Yes. The Trust has conducted the most systematic long-term Elasmobranchii monitoring program in Sri Lanka to date, covering 142 landing sites over more than 3,900 survey days from 2017 to April 2026. A total of 56,123 specimens have been recorded across 105 species, with over 11,000 tissue samples collected for genetic, stable isotope, and other research analyses. More than 60 per cent of recorded species are listed as vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered on the IUCN Red List. The most comprehensive overview of species in Sri Lanka was established by Fernando et al. (2019) across 11 localities, using both physical characteristics and DNA analysis, which added new country records and identified species likely new to science. Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking devices have been deployed with small-scale fishers across three important shark and ray areas (ISRAs), generating 915 GPS tracks over 54 survey days to spatially map the fishing effort and identify overlap with threatened species at Pasikudah-Kalkudah, Baththalangunduwa, and Palk Bay. Five ISRAs have been directly supported by the Trust’s data, with two additional areas of interest identified. Pigeon Island was included in both the original 2017 Global FinPrint Baited Remote Underwater Video Systems survey and a repeat survey conducted by the Trust in collaboration with the Australian Institute of Marine Science and the Mote Marine Laboratory.

Are there any conservation or breeding method programs happening in Sri Lanka regarding sharks? The International Shark Conference happened recently - what new knowledge or research findings did we get from it?

Sri Lanka's conservation framework has been strengthened recently. The National Plan of Action for Sharks, Rays and Chimaeras last year (2025) – 2030 is being developed with the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Department, with stakeholder consultations completed across all four coastal Provinces. The Trust, in collaboration with the Oregon State University (United States), conducted a Marine Mammal Bycatch Mitigation pilot study in the Eastern Province, testing subsurface gillnets and green-light-fitted surface gillnets to reduce multi-species bycatch of cetaceans, sea turtles, sharks and rays. Sri Lanka has also ratified the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Agreement, with inter-Ministerial workshops conducted and a "Sharks Know No Boundaries" side event facilitated at the Sharks International 2026. Sharks International 2026, organised by the Trust, brought together more than 800 participants from over 80 countries, making it one of the largest gatherings of Elasmobranchii scientists and conservationists in the conference's history.

Experts highlighted a critical disconnect in the management of sharks and rays: despite sharing biological characteristics with long-lived terrestrial animals such as slow growth, late maturity, and low reproductive output, they continue to be managed primarily as conventional harvestable fisheries resources. The Trust’s Co-Founder Daniel Fernando highlighted that governments must stop using a lack of data as an excuse for inaction, drawing parallels with past conservation interventions for turtles and cetaceans. He stated, "Looking back 40 to 50 years, we made drastic changes for species such as turtles and cetaceans, which were once commonly fished, and a similar approach is now necessary for sharks and rays.”

What is the population and diversity of rays in Sri Lankan waters? What is their interaction with sharks?

Sri Lankan waters support a diverse ray fauna, including stingrays, eagle rays, manta rays, devil rays, guitarfishes, wedgefishes, and electric rays, with several confirmed new species records and potentially undescribed species. Rays and sharks share many biological characteristics as fellow Elasmobranchii. When shark populations decline, ray populations can increase through mesopredator release, and ray behaviour shifts significantly in the presence of larger predatory sharks. Both groups face severe bycatch mortality in Sri Lanka's gillnet fisheries, with mobulid populations showing significant Indian Ocean-wide declines.

Is there any medicinal value of sharks? Do we have any cultural practices in Sri Lanka regarding sharks?

Shark liver oil has been used medicinally for centuries and remains in demand for supplements and vaccine adjuvants. The international liver oil trade, which targets deepwater sharks for their squalene-rich livers, drives boom-and-bust extraction cycles that have caused declines exceeding 90% in some regional populations. In Sri Lanka, shark products including meat and fins have cultural significance in coastal fishing communities, and fins enter international trade through established supply chains, with Sri Lanka identified in global illegal trade analyses.

 What are the safety measures that should be taken by groups that deal with sharks, such as fishermen and those in tourism?

Fishermen should minimise handling time, use purpose-built dehooking tools, avoid placing hands near the mouth, and follow proper release techniques that maximise post-release survival. Dive operators and tourists should maintain respectful distances, avoid feeding sharks, and follow park regulations. In shallow coastal habitats, waders should shuffle their feet to avoid stepping on buried stingrays, and any ray spine wound should be treated with hot water immersion and prompt medical attention.

Is there any impact on these species from climate change, particularly the anticipated El Niño that has officially started?

Climate change is altering monsoon intensity, ocean temperatures, and prey distributions in ways that affect shark seasonal movements and reproductive timing. Deepwater sharks are particularly vulnerable given their extraordinarily slow life histories and low population growth rates, making even small increases in mortality difficult to recover from. El Niño-Southern Oscillation events alter Indian Ocean upwelling and productivity, affecting foraging and reproductive success. Historical genomic analysis of bull sharks shows that large-scale oceanographic changes during past glacial periods significantly shaped population sizes, suggesting that current climate trajectories pose real long-term risks.

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the interviewee, and do not necessarily reflect those of this publication