Brazil seizes one ton of shark fins headed for Japan

RIO DE JANEIRO: Brazilian prosecutors on Tuesday seized a ton of shark fins destined for the Japanese market, the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA) said.

The shipment of frozen shark fins, uncovered by prosecutors from IBAMA’s Fish and Wildlife Division in a container ready for shipment to Japan, has an estimated value of 17,000 dollars.

“All the illegal cargo will be destroyed,” the state body said.

The owner of the export company was fined 52,000 reales (29,700 US dollars) and the boats responsible for catching the sharks were also expected to receive penalties, prosecutors said.

Rita Barreto, an environmental analyst at the IBAMA office in Para state where the shipment was uncovered, said “careful monitoring” was needed to
“ensure that commercial fishing is not threatening shark species off the Brazilian coast, some of which are endangered.”—AFP