MEXICO CITY, Jun 20 Employees of the Ibama Brazilian Environmental Institute in during two operations, the largest consignments of shark fins with a total weight of 28.7 tons were confiscated, which were intended for export to Asia, according to environmentalists, smugglers destroyed 10 thousand individuals.
«Ibama has confiscated 28.7 tons of shark fins destined for illegal export to Asia. The fins found belong to two shark species: the blue shark (Pionace glauca) and the anekim shark, also known as the mako (Isurus oxyrinchus)», — according to a report on the institute's website.
The main part of the confiscated goods, 27.6 tons, was seized from the warehouse of the exporting company in the state of Santa Catarina. Even more than a ton of smugglers tried to take out of the largest international airport Guarulhos in Sao Paulo.
The shipments together are the largest confiscated in history, according to experts, smugglers destroyed 4,400 blue sharks and 5,600 macau sharks in this way. Since May 22 this year, the latter have been classified as endangered in Brazil.
Targeted shark fishing is generally prohibited in Brazil. Vessels involved in this fishery used licenses to catch other fish species. Shark fins are considered a valuable delicacy on the international market and are in demand in Asia, where they were going to be exported.