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Apr 21, 2010
Brazil seizes 1 ton of shark fins
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Brazilian prosecutors on Tuesday seized a ton of shark fins destined for the Japanese market, the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA) said. -- PHOTO: AFP
<!-- story content : start --> RIO DE JANEIRO - BRAZILIAN prosecutors on Tuesday seized a ton of shark fins destined for the Japanese market, the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA) said. The shipment of frozen shark fins, uncovered by prosecutors from IBAMA's Fish and Wildlife Division in a container ready for shipment to Japan, has an estimated value of US$17,000 (S$23,000).
'All the illegal cargo will be destroyed,' the state body said. The owner of the export company was fined 52,000 reales (S$40,700) and the boats responsible for catching the sharks are also expected to receive penalties, prosecutors said. Rita Barreto, an environmental analyst at the IBAMA office in Para state where the shipment was uncovered, said 'careful monitoring' was needed to 'ensure that commercial fishing is not threatening shark species off the Brazilian coast, some of which are endangered.' -- AFP
