The oceans of the entire planet are increasingly empty and silent, and in particular a terrible decline has struck large predators such as sharks. As well as being threatened by the reduction of prey due to overfishing, ecosystem disruption and so-called "bycatch", millions of sharks fall victim every year to shark finning, an absurd and cruel practice that involves cutting the fins off the animal as soon as it is caught, after which it is thrown back into the sea to die in agony. Shark fins are used to prepare a highly prized soup in Asian cuisine.

Sea Shepherd in defence of sharks

To protect sharks, which, like all large predators, play an indispensable ecological role, the marine conservation organisation Sea Shepherd is engaged in a worldwide campaign called Operation Apex Harmony. As part of the operation, Sea Shepherd discovered that, despite all major cargo carriers having banned the transport of shark fins, large shipments of this commodity are still arriving in Hong Kong, carried by airlines and freight companies that had pledged to no longer transport them.

Combating the transport of protected species

On 10 March last, a new consortium comprising the most important airlines and NGOs convened with representatives of Hong Kong's Customs and Excise Department and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department. During the meeting, the findings of Sea Shepherd's investigation and the measures to be taken to combat wildlife crime were discussed. Of particular importance is understanding how to prevent products derived from animals listed by Cites as at-risk species from being transported without the carrier's knowledge.

Transporting shark fins is banned

Thanks to pressure from wildlife conservation organisations, many airlines and shipping companies have pledged to no longer transport shark fins and other products derived from these fish. In 2010 an important signal was sent by the Danish group Maersk, one of the world's largest carriers, which became the first to declare a worldwide ban on the transport of shark fins. Currently more than thirty airlines and just under twenty container carriers operate bans on the transport of shark fins.

How the laws are broken

The bans have therefore been put in place, but they are frequently circumvented through the use of false declarations and false labelling, with shark fins being generically classified as "fish products" or "dried marine products". Sea Shepherd's investigation documented the arrival in Hong Kong of large shipments carried by carriers that had signed up to the ban on transporting shark fins.

Sharks slaughtered for a bowl of soup

"It is so sad what the Sea Shepherd team has uncovered," said Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group. "Thousands and thousands of sharks massacred just for their fins to be turned into a bowl of soup. The people who knowingly participated should hang their heads in shame. As for Sea Shepherd and the team led by Gary Stokes, they should be thanked for exposing this wicked, at times illegal, trade."