( Spanish) — Brazilian authorities seized this week 28.7 tons of Shark fins that were to be illegally exported to Asia. It is the largest seizure in the history of the country and one of the largest recorded in the world of this type of product, according to a statement published on Monday by the director of the Environmental Protection Department, Jair Schmitt.
The fins belong to two shark species, the blue (Prionace glauca) and the shortfin mako (Isurus oxyrinchus). According to the Brazilian Institute of the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (Ibama), the amount seized represents the estimated death of 10,000 sharks, which entails “a considerable environmental impact.”
Much of the seizure was made at a single export company in Santa Catarina, in the south of the country. There, 27.6 tons of fins were found. The other operation was at the Guarulhos airport, Sao Paulo, when another company was trying to export 1.1 tons.
According to the Brazilian authorities, Asia is the main consumer market while in the South American country “practically” this product is not consumed. Shark fishing is also not allowed in Brazil. On the other hand, the vessels involved did not apply the mandatory measures to prevent the capture and death of seabirds, which caused the death of thousands of them, including some endangered species, Ibama said.
The seizures are part of the Makaira operation, an institutional action to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, which is part of the Annual National Environmental Protection Plan.
