Federal authorities carried out an important operation at the port of Ensenada, Baja California (Mexico), where an illegal shipment of 2,433 kilograms of shark fins belonging to endangered species was detected.
The operation was carried out by the Secretaría de Marina (Semar) in coordination with the Comisión Nacional de Acuacultura y Pesca (Conapesca) and the Procuraduría Federal de Protección al Ambiente (Profepa), who proceeded with the precautionary retention of the product due to the lack of documentation proving its legal origin.
Discovery and analysis of protected species
During the inspection at the port facility, agents found 135 sacks containing shark fins from different species, which immediately raised an alert.
Experts from Profepa verified that the shipment included hammerhead and silky shark, two species that are protected during the period from May 1st to June 31st due to their conservation status.
Illegal trafficking of shark fins has been a recurring problem in the region, with smuggling networks aiming to export them to Asian countries, where they are used in the preparation of soups and other exotic products.
International protection and legal actions
Both sharks are protected under Appendix II of the CITES Convention. An agreement that regulates the international trade of endangered species of wild fauna and flora.
Due to the lack of documents validating the legality of the shipment, Profepa proceeded with the precautionary retention of the nearly 2.5 tons of fins, preventing their export from the country.
Illegal destination and official statements
Mariana Boy, head of Profepa, stated through her X account that the cargo was intended to be illegally exported to China. This reinforces concerns about wildlife trafficking and the indiscriminate exploitation of protected species.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the origin and destination of the shipment, as well as seeking possible individuals involved in the illegal commercial chain.
Environmental impact of shark trafficking
The illegal trade of shark fins represents a serious threat to marine ecosystems. It disrupts the balance of shark populations, which play a fundamental role in marine life regulation.
International data indicates that 90 percent of large shark species have experienced a drastic reduction due to overfishing.
Furthermore, the practice of “finning”—where sharks are captured, finned, and then discarded back into the sea—creates an environmental crisis that impacts oceans globally.
Cover photo: Profepa
