AT a market in northern Peru, fishermen and traders barter over mutilated sharks, loading the fish onto motorised rickshaws. Much of the meat will be eaten locally, but the removed fins are headed elsewhere: Asia.
That lucrative trade is threatening species of shark off the coasts of Peru and neighboring Ecuador, according to marine biologists. In just over a decade, Peru has almost tripled exports of shark fins - both legally and illegally sourced - hitting a record 400 tonnes in 2021, Oceana data show.
Peru is the world s largest exporter of shark fins riotimesonline.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from riotimesonline.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.