Panama Authorities Seize a Container with 109 Sacks of Shark Fins.

A container with 109 sacks of shark fins, en route from Panama to Malaysia, was detained at the Port of Manzanillo, after the cargo was irregularly declared as “fish swim bladder” to the corresponding authorities, reported the Aquatic Resources Authority of Panama (ARAP).  In a press release, the entity detailed that the operation was detected within the framework of the inspection and investigation actions developed by the Specialized Multidisciplinary Environmental Team (EME-Ambiental), with the participation of the Police Investigation Directorate (DIP), in collaboration with the Aquatic Resources Authority of Panama (ARAP) and the Ministry of Environment. 

ARAP also indicated that in the coming hours, specialists will conduct taxonomic identification of the seized product to determine the species present and establish whether they correspond to species included in the appendices of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). If the presence of species protected under this convention is confirmed, their trade would be subject to strict regulations and controls.  They also stated that Panama maintains a zero quota for any shark species that remains on the CITES list, so the extraction, movement and trade of products derived from this species are subject to national provisions and applicable international regulations. 

According to the water resources authority, the case remains under investigation. The Ministry of Environment, within its purview, is participating in the inspection, identification, and evaluation of the seized product, as well as carrying out the corresponding administrative procedures.  Once the corresponding procedures have been completed, the Ministry of Environment will proceed with the administrative sanctioning procedure, in accordance with current regulations and the results of the investigation. 

Likewise, the case will be brought to the attention of the Specialized Superior Prosecutor’s Office for Environmental Crimes of the Public Ministry, so that the corresponding criminal investigations can be carried out and the possible responsibilities arising from this fact can be determined.  Finally, it was indicated that MiAMBIENTE will now follow up on the case and collaborate with the competent authorities, within the scope of its functions, to guarantee compliance with environmental regulations and the protection of shark species.