Shubhendu Bandopadhyay, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of 24 Parganas (South) Division said the haul included some rare and endangered species such as Tiger sharks, Arrowhead, Hammerhead sharks, Ganges sharks and Guitarfish—the last two have been declared as extremely endangered under the Wildlife Protection Act. Officials said the sharks captured ranged from 1.05-2.55 metres in length and from 40-120 kg in weight. According to Forest Department sources, Additional Divisional Forest Officer Majidar Rehman and his men were on patrol at the confluence of the Hatania and Duania rivers when they intercepted the boat with the consignment. Department officials said the boat was headed for the Namkhana fish market in the Sunderbans. ‘‘Shark fins and shark fin soup are extremely popular and poaching of sharks is a big clandestine operation,’’ said DFO Bandopadhyay. The sources said a portion of the catch is usually sent to Andhra Pradesh, where they are processed, sent abroad and the flesh sold for up to Rs 4,000 per kg. ‘‘These sharks are found in the areas around Namkhana, Kakdwip and other islands of the Sunderbans,’’ said the DFO.