Staff of the Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission stationed at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) have seized 3,967 dried shark fins with a total weight of 488 kg at the Swissport Cargo Centre.
The fins, packed in 14 wrapped jute bags popularly known as “Ghana Must Go”, are believed to have a street value of between USD300,000 and USD400,000, with Mauritania as their final destination.
Staff were alerted by the Veterinary Services Directorate of KIA regarding the items, which were initially declared as dried fish but upon inspection were found to contain dried shark fins, contrary to the declaration provided.
The consignment did not have the required export permit or accompanying documentation authorizing the exportation of wildlife products, contrary to the Wildlife Resources Management Act, 2023 (Act 1115), Section 22(2)(a), which states: “A permit may be granted for the following activities: (a) to export, re-export or import wildlife and products”.
The seized dried fins were identified as having been harvested from the following species of sharks: Prionace glauca (Blue shark); Alopias vulpinus (Common thresher); Carcharhinus falciformis (Silky shark) and Sphyrna mokarran (Hammerhead shark).
All these species, their parts and derivatives, are listed under Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), and an export permit is required before they can be exported.
This ensures that trade is legal and sustainable and does not harm the species’ survival.
The seized consignment is being held by the Forestry Commission, while the primary suspect has been handed over to the Airport Police Station for further investigations and prosecution.
Source: Rainbowonline
