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Poisoned shark fins could kill
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Campaigners, frustrated by a perceived lack of action against shark-fin poachers in Costa Rica, have reportedly taken the law into their own hands by poisoning, with potentially fatal chemicals, a batch of fins bound for Hong Kong restaurants.
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| Costa Rican shark finners photographed by Sea Shepherd in 2002 |
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In a public statement, Capt Paul Watson, Founder and President of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, said: 'I have received information from a reliable and trusted contact in Central America...that illegally obtained shark fins have been intercepted from poachers and washed in a solution of liquid containing 30 per cent sodium cyanide.
'About 300 shark fins were taken from drying roofs in Puntarenas, Costa Rica, bathed in the solution and returned to the roof to continue drying. The poachers were completely unaware of the removal and return of the fins.
'Apparently, these cyanide-marinated fins have now been processed for illegal transportation to Hong Kong and other Asian ports.'
The source, said Capt Watson, had provided Sea Shepherd with accurate information about poaching vessels in the past. 'I have no reason to doubt the accuracy of this information,' he concluded.
The action, he said, was to be condemned. 'As much as I abhor the trade in shark fins...I feel that it is irresponsible to endanger human life, and that all measures should be taken to ensure that these fins are not sold on the market.'
Capt Watson has alerted Hong Kong police to the warning he received. He has said that tests should be carried out on any illegal fin cargoes intercepted.
Related links
Tough measures to defend sharks
UN adopts resolution calling for ban on targeting sharks for their fins
Sea Shepherd website
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