Disturbing warehouse discovery exposes 1.3 tonne illegal trade: 'Aphrodisiac concoctions'
Shark fins are a highly sought after item in Asian countries where it is believed they help delay aging and improve memory loss.
Police have seized a whopping 1.3 tonnes of highly sought-after shark fins allegedly intended to be shipped to Asia for making soups and ‘aphrodisiac concoctions’.
The shocking find last Sunday was made in a warehouse in the Peruvian city of Tumbes, near the border with Ecuador. The police said the distribution company did not have sufficient documentation to prove their origin of the fins.
“We seized 1.29 tons of dried shark fins of various species," The Peruvian customs agency SUNAT stated.
“Pacific Products Fishing and Foods S.A. was charged with failing to present documents supporting its legal origin.”
Customs officials believe the shipment was intended to be illegally exported to Asia where shark fins are highly valued due to their supposed aphrodisiac properties.
The Ecological Movement of Peru said: “Shark fins are highly valued on international markets such as in Asia, which has driven illegal fishing practices, seriously affecting marine biodiversity."
According to popular belief, shark fin soup is used to delay aging, improve appetite, help memory loss and stimulate sexual desire. Requiem sharks (Carcharhinidae) and hammerhead sharks (Sphynidae) are the most commonly used species in shark fin soup.
There are around 400 species of sharks in the world, 66 of which are in Peru, according to the NGO Oceana.
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What is finning?
Finning involves cutting off the predator's valuable fin and then dropping it back into the ocean to die. Researchers argue we should only be using fins of animals where the whole animal is processed.
Sharks need to be constantly moving forward to survive and lose the ability to move without their fins. Suffocation, blood loss as well as predation from other species mean sharks will suffer a slow and painful death after they're finned.
"Removing sharks from the marine ecosystem threatens the health of our well-managed fisheries," Justin Bathurst, AFMA’s General Manager, Fisheries Operations said. "Sharks are an important part of a healthy ecosystem, helping to control the balance of marine species and ensuring ecological stability."
Shark fin fast facts:
Shark fins are commonly used in East and Southeast Asian soups and these dishes are associated with wealth and status.
The global shark fin trade is centred around Hong Kong, which hosts up to 50 per cent of all imports, with half of this re-exported.
Australia is responsible for about 1 per cent of products imported into China and Hong Kong.
Jam Press
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