Record-Breaking Seizure of almost 8 tons of Shark Fins in Brazil

Helmut Nickel, Shark Year Magazine,

06. May 2012

Brazilian authorities have made one of their biggest seizures of illegal shark fins.

On Friday May 4th, the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA) seized about 7,7 tons of dried shark fins in Belém. The capital and largest city of the state of Pará is located in the country’s northern region.

The shark fins, which were intended to be exported to China, were found during an inspection by IBAMA officers at a fish processing company in the Tapana Industrial District. The exporter failed to provide documents proving the sale or whereabouts of the shark carcasses. So it can be assumed that the fins are a product of illegal shark finning.

According to the agency, the company faces a fine of R$ 2,7 million. IBAMA says that the same fish processing company (which usually trades with dried swim bladders) has repeatedly been fined several times before for various violations. Over R$ 1 million in fines have been accumulated since 2007.

Source and Photo Credit: IBAMA and folha.com