Brazilian authorities announced on Tuesday the seizure of more than 28 tons of shark fins bound for precious Asia, in what would be the largest operation of its kind in the world, according to environmental agency Ibama.
These 28.7 tons of fins represent some 10,000 blue sharks (Prionace glauca) and shortfin makos (Isurus oxyrinchus), the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources said in a press release, specifying that they had been fished “in various regions of Brazil “. coast”.
“This is probably the largest take of this type of product in history,” Jair Schmitt, one of the agency’s leaders, was quoted as saying in the press release.
The quasi-totalité des ailerons a été saisie au sein d’une société de l’État de Santa Catarina (south) et le reste, que s’appretait à exporter une autre entreprise, a été intercepté à l’aéroport de Sao Paulo ( Southeast). Other companies could be involved in the traffic, according to Ibama.
$1,000 per kilo in East Asia
The fins were to be illegally exported to Asia, where this trade, centered in Hong Kong, is worth around 465 million euros. The fins can be sold for $1,000 a kilo in East Asia to make very famous soups in traditional Chinese cuisine.
In late May, Brazil placed the mako shark on the endangered species list. This initiative follows the historic decision taken in November in Panama at the Conference on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), aimed at protecting some fifty shark species threatened by trafficking in their fins in Asia.
Source: BFM TV
