Panama Seizes 6.7 Tons of Shark Fins in Crackdown on Illegal Trade

A police operation in Panama resulted in the seizure of 6.7 tons of shark fins and the arrest of five individuals involved in the illegal shark fin trade. The shark fins were prepared for shipment to Asian countries where they are used in luxury soups believed to have various health benefits. It’s estimated that around 73 million sharks are killed each year for this trade, contributing to an illicit market worth $500 million annually. To curb this, a recent summit in Panama agreed to protect 54 shark species.