01538nas a2200217   4500000000100000000000100001008004100002260001200043653002400055653002200079653001500101653001500116653001000131100001700141700001900158700001600177245005600193856004700249520101000296022001401306       2019                            d  c06/201910aConservation policy10aFishing community10aInterviews10aManagement10aTrade1 aDivya Karnad1 aDipani Sutaria1 aRima Jabado00aLocal drivers of declining shark fisheries in India  uhttps://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-019-01203-z3 aThis study evaluates local-scale drivers of shark harvests in India, one of the world’s largest shark fishing nations. Focusing on key harbours in the states of Gujarat and Maharashtra, which together contribute 54\% of India’s shark harvest, this study uses a semi-structured survey to examine the practices of shark fishers and traders, their knowledge of shark trade and policy, and perceptions of shark declines. Findings indicate that a domestic market for shark meat is presently the main local driver for harvests rather than the global trade in shark fins. Sharks are mostly non-target catch, landed whole, contributing to the protein needs of coastal communities. Consumer demand is the greatest for small-bodied and juvenile sharks. Perceived steep declines in shark numbers and sizes have had economic impacts on fishers and traders. The unregulated domestic market for shark meat is a key challenge requiring nuanced local approaches that diverge from global shark conservation priorities.  a1654-7209