In April 2020, customs officers in Hong Kong made one of the largest seizures of shark fins in history: 26 metric tons, all of it exported from Ecuador. This number represents an estimated 38,500 sharks, all of which were classed as threatened species.
The discovery caused global outrage and prompted condemnation by the Ecuadoran government. Yet, 17 months later, no criminal charges have been brought against those responsible. Experts and environmental organizations say this example of wildlife smuggling — the world’s fourth-largest illegal business, surpassed only by the trafficking of drugs, people and counterfeit goods — will go unpunished.
In June, Ecuador’s fisheries ministry announced that it had fined the individual listed as the exporter $3,870 — barely 0.3% of the cargo’s estimated value of $1.1 million. However, it has since been revealed that the exporter is just one piece of a complex puzzle.
Cecilia Medina, an advisor to the outgoing parliamentary commission on biodiversity prior to the new government taking office in May, says the commission’s investigation made it possible to establish “the general panorama” of the network involved in shark trafficking. “But until the case goes to court, until a judgement is made, and until justice is done, unfortunately it remains merely a political act by parliament,” she says.
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Sinking hope of justice as exporter of 26-ton shark fin cargo gets token fine