Peruvian police have seized a shipment of shark fins, a popular ingredient in soups and aphrodisiacs, that was allegedly being illegally exported to Asia, the agency said. Officials said the cargo was one of the largest ever discovered, with an estimated value of US$8 million on Asian markets.
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“We have seized more than six tons of shark fins of various species, where fishing is completely prohibited,” General Manuel Lozada, head of the Criminal Investigation Department, told AFP.
The fins were hidden in a secret warehouse in a house in Callao, a port city near Lima.
“In order to catch endangered sharks, the fishermen are destroying the marine ecosystem in the area and having a terrible impact,” he said, adding that the fishermen “only cut off the fins and dump the carcasses into the sea.” The police chief added: “This seizure is one of the largest ever discovered and is valued at US$8 million on the Asian market.”
6 tons of shark fins seized in Panama
Widely used as an ingredient in popular soups in East Asia
Three Peruvians were arrested during the operation and are being investigated by authorities on suspicion of joining a criminal organization specializing in the trafficking of this product. Shark fin is said to have aphrodisiac properties and is highly valued in the market. According to popular belief, shark fin soup slows down aging, increases appetite, improves memory and stimulates sexual desire.
Specimens of requiem sharks (Family: Ceraminidae) and hammerhead sharks (Family: Hammerheadidae) are the most commonly traded ingredients for shark fin soup. According to the international marine conservation organization Oceana, there are approximately 400 species of sharks in the world, 66 of which can be found in Peru.
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