Half Ton Of Shark Fins Seized

AP

PANAMA CITY, Panama – Customs inspectors have found nearly a half ton (421 kilos) of shark fins cut illegally from protected hammerhead sharks.

Customs director Gloria Moreno de Lopez said Friday that the fins were found at Panama's international airport in a shipment labeled as dried fish. She says the container originated in Ecuador and was bound for New York City.

Environmental organizations say shark fins are prized as a delicacy, and overfishing is putting many hammerhead sharks at risk of extinction. Fishermen who harvest the animals typically cut off the fins and toss carcass back into the sea.

So does that probably mean the Galapogos area is now that much poorer? (I'd add one the Emoticons but I can't find one crying and being physically ill)

Steve

We need multilateral bans on shark finning with stiff fines for those caught in possession. The world is slowly coming around to the idea that it's decimating the numbers. Hopefully it won't be too late.