An investigation performed by Ojo Público revealed that the Ministry of Production in Peru (PRODUCE), responsible for protecting species threatened by illegal trade, have allegedly been exporting shark fins illegally to Asian markets.
“Following record seizures of almost 50 tons of shark fins by Peru’s customs office between November 2018 and December 2019, the country’s authorities have launched an investigation into the administrative body that certifies wildlife exports”, InSight Crime informed.
According to the article, most of the shark fins that are trafficked from Peru end up in China. There, a kilogram of this product can sell for up to $700 US dollars. “Global trade in the commodity is worth close to $1 billion US dollars a year, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)”, the aforementioned website said.
The largest exporter country in the world of legal and illegal shark fins is Peru. Between 2014 and 2018 it shipped an estimated $25 million US dollars to Hong Kong, according to Ojo Público.
“Major exporters of black market shark products in the country reportedly maintain links with key personnel within the Ministry of Production. The authority is entrusted with issuing permits under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), a global mechanism to oversee wildlife exports”, InSight Crime said.
