An enormous haul of illegal shark fins has been confiscated by the authorities in Colombia.
The fins were part of a shipment being trafficked to Hong Kong from Bogota airport that was packed up in 10 packages. When the environmental authorities were notified, they swept into action and seized the illegal fins.
In total, there were 3,493 fins in the shipment, and experts believe that between 900 and 1,000 sharks were killed for their fins varying in length from between 1 and 5 meters. Colombian authorities indicated that the fins originated in the southwest, from the municipality of Roldanillo.
According to the environment secretary for the city of Bogota Carolina Urrutia:
“The shipping company was who initially alerted environmental authorities and police. The police are taking samples to know exactly what species they are, but we know that there are more than three species of shark which exist in Colombian waters.”
