Let us give up “mori ambot tikh”
Goa’s fish markets would show you baby sharks, hammer head sharks… There are lots of customers who prefer “mori’ fresh or dried… I also love “mori ambot tik”. The best recipe which I tasted was at Caranzalem, Panaji’s Martins’ beach corner… For past five years, I have given up ‘mori ambot tik”… Because sharks in Arabian sea are endangered… I raised this issue with Goa’s forest dept. and fisheries dept. I told the director, fisheries to educate the fishermen. The matter was also brought to the notice of forest minister in a meeting in his chamber. But still sharks are being sold in Goa’s markets… If any NGO is waiting for a good readymade issue-this is it, pick it up- “stop sale of sharks” or “save sharks campaign” “give up mori ambot tik, mori masala’ Besides reminding local authorities once again today, I am also petitioning MOEF, Govt. of India to direct Goa government to ban catching and selling of shark species notified under wildlife protection act. This matter would also be placed on the agenda of the Goa state wildlife advisory board whenever it meets again. What should be alternative:- Mori lovers may wonder. it should be possible to breed some species of sharks artificially with NIO's help. They already have technology for mussel culture. cage culture, shellfish culture etc. Some of Goa's bay are excellent for shark rearing in submerged licensed cages. The Times of India published the following news today (june 23, page 9, Goa edition) Endangered sharks falling prey to fin soup demand Sharks may soon disappear from the East Coast with greedy fishermen killing these predators for their fins, which have a great demand in Asian countries and a few European nations…..In fact, fishing of 56 species of shark was banned under the Wildlife Act and the Marine Fishing Act of 1986. “Sharks have a key role in maintaining the fragile marine eco-system. But today, they are almost extinct,” said Andhra University zoology department head Prof D E Babu. Read the full story http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Endangered-sharks-falling-prey-to-fin-soup-demand/articleshow/6072829.cms -- Dr. Nandkumar Kamat, GOA
