Shark fin trafficking: a silent threat to marine biodiversity

Sharks, essential pillars of marine ecosystems, are now on the brink of extinction. Victims of commercial overfishing, these predators are targeted primarily for their fins, which fetch high prices on Asian markets. It is estimated that between 100 and 275 million sharks are killed each year, a practice that threatens not only their survival but also the balance of the oceans.

Shark finning back by the growing demand for shark fin soup, is particularly widespread in Southeast Asia, where a kilogram of fins can sell for up to $1,000. These fins are prized for their supposed medicinal and aphrodisiac properties, although these claims are largely unfounded.

Recent arrests in Panama and Senegal, where traffickers were intercepted with tons of shark fins, illustrate the scale of this illegal trade. Last March, Senegalese authorities seized nearly 3 tons of fins, a haul that reignited the debate on the protection of endangered marine species.

According to a study by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), 60% of shark species are in danger of extinction. Among them, hammerhead and requiem sharks are the most affected, accounting for more than half of the global shark fin trade. This massive exploitation threatens not only sharks, but also the stability of marine ecosystems, disrupting traditional fisheries and coastal ecosystems.

The situation is all the more alarming because, according to Paul Watson of the NGO SEA SHEPHERD, current legislation allows fishermen to use indiscriminate fishing techniques, such as longlining or gillnets, which catch thousands of sharks, including protected species. This legislative gap means that many sharks, despite being strictly protected, end up on market stalls around the world.

In West Africa, illegal fishing continues to be rampant despite government efforts to control it. Togo, for example, has suspended the registration of foreign fishing vessels and deregistered several vessels for suspected illegal fishing. Togolese law also prohibits the capture and commercialization of various protected marine species, including sharks.

Despite these measures, the shark fin trade remains thriving. The European Union, one of the largest fin exporters, recently announced that it may ban the trade in detached fins, a move supported by a petition that has garnered over a million signatures. However, until indiscriminate fishing methods and international trade are better regulated, sharks will continue to face extinction.

Environmentalists are calling for concerted global action to protect these endangered species. Strengthening laws against illegal trafficking, banning destructive fishing techniques, and raising public awareness are all necessary steps to ensure the future of sharks and, by extension, the health of our oceans.

The editorial staff