Demand for shark products varies from affordable meat for local consumption to high-value export products like shark fins used as a culinary delicacy in Asia, as well as a range of other products such as shark skin and liver oil. International markets that cater to this demand drive overfishing of sharks which, coupled with low biological productivity, puts shark species at a higher risk of extinction when compared to most other vertebrates. In India, 26 sharks and rays have been accorded the highest protection status under local laws. However, India is also one of the world’s largest shark fishing nations. In India, shark meat is a local delicacy consumed by many people, especially along the Southern coast. According to a study of seizure trends by TRAFFIC between 2020 and 2022, Tamil Nadu is a particular hotspot for shark trafficking, accounting for 65% of the seizure incidents. Shark fin remains the dominant product, accounting for 82% of incidents. Finally, around 50% of seized products analysed were destined for parts of Asia, including Singapore, Hong Kong SAR, China, and Sri Lanka.