A study from the University of Florida reveals that Spain, China, and Taiwan still support the illegal trade of shark fins from protected species.
In this way, these nations are evading the current international restrictions that have been in place for more than a decade.
Today, the illegal trade persists especially in Hong Kong, the world’s main market.
Four threatened shark species remain in the market
The research, published in Science Advances, detected illegal trade of fins from four of the five species banned by CITES since 2013. These are:
- The scalloped hammerhead shark;
- The smooth hammerhead shark;
- the great hammerhead shark, and;
- the oceanic whitetip shark.
Diego Cardeñosa and his team analyzed the Hong Kong market between 2015 and 2021.
The results showed that these fins remained “very present” despite the fact that uncertified exports have been illegal for 12 years.
The study determined that 73 of the 90 exporting countries (81%) never reported trade of these threatened species.
This discrepancy reveals a “rampant” illegal commercial activity, according to the authors.
Industrial fleets under suspicion for illegal shark fin trade
The researchers used the “DNA postal code” to trace the fins back to their regions of origin.
This technique identified that global industrial fleets regularly capture these species.
“It is very unlikely that the major exporters with known global industrial fleets capturing these species are not exporting their fins,” the study notes.
In particular, the authors consider that Spain, China, and Taiwan are the main culprits of the illegal trade.
The international trade is one of the factors driving the overexploitation of sharks.
The five species are protected under CITES Appendix II to regulate their trade and promote their recovery.
How to stop the illegal shark fin trade
The study proposes stricter measures by port state authorities.
It also suggests applying customs codes at the species level and increasing market surveillance through genetic control.
The authors conclude that international regulations are not effectively curbing the illegal fin trade.
This activity severely affects marine biodiversity due to the lack of effective enforcement and the existence of legal loopholes.
The finding contradicts CITES trade records and shows that the international protection of these species is not being enforced in practice.
Thus, a black market remains alive, threatening the survival of sharks.
