The police have seized 1.3 tons of shark fins allegedly intended for making soups and ‘aphrodisiac concoctions’.
Investigators found the fins in a warehouse in the Peruvian city of Tumbes, near the border with Ecuador.
The police said the distribution company did not have sufficient documentation to prove their origin.
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The Peruvian customs agency SUNAT stated: “We seized 1.29 tons of dried shark fins of various species.
“Pacific Products Fishing and Foods S.A. was charged with failing to present documents supporting its legal origin.”
Customs officials believe the shipment was intended to be illegally exported to Asia, as reported by Need To Know.
It was found on Sunday (15 Sept).
The Ecological Movement of Peru said: “Shark fins are highly valued on international markets such as in Asia, which has driven illegal fishing practices, seriously affecting marine biodiversity.”
SUNAT said shark fins are high valued due to their supposed aphrodisiac properties.
According to popular belief, shark fin soup is used to delay aging, improve appetite, help memory and stimulate sexual desire.
Requiem sharks (Carcharhinidae) and hammerhead sharks (Sphynidae) are the most commonly used species in shark fin soup.
There are around 400 species of sharks in the world, 66 of which are in Peru, according to the NGO Oceana.
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