2023-08-28 16:33:00
Around the Ver-O-Peso market in Belém, there are sharks for sale. Unlike other fish on display there, these have their heads and fins severed.
A genetic sequencing analysis of the specimen on offer reveals that it belongs to the species known as the oil shark or sandpaper shark (Carcharhinus porosus), considered critically endangered according to the Fauna Extinction Risk Assessment of ICMBio (Chico Mendes Institute of Biodiversity).
Brazil thus allows incidental shark fishing, but when the species caught is in danger of extinction, the activity becomes illegal.
In May, during a visit to Ver-o-Peso, Sheet collected 11 samples of fish sold as sharks or similar. Of these, 9 were from critically endangered species, according to a laboratory analysis carried out at the request of the publication.
In June of this year, a joint operation between the Federal Police and Ibama confiscated more than 28 tons of shark fins in Santa Catarina. And in July, the Segup (Secretary of Public Security and Social Defense) of Pará seized more than 50 kg of shark fins valued at R$ 239,000. The destination was Asia.
Translated by AZAHARA MARTIN ORTEGA
#Sharks #rays #extinction #sold #Amazon #Science #Health