Hong Kong airport bust: Seahorses, shark fins discovered in two operations
Law enforcement officers seized a haul of dried shark fins and seahorses at the airport over the past four days.
Customs officers found fins weighing 16kg from the endangered shark family Sphyrnidae on a 20-year-old man from Mozambique during a search of his baggage yesterday.
Investigations showed the man had travelled via Johannesburg, South Africa, before reaching the city.
The case was handed over to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department for follow-up investigations.
Under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing an endangered species without a licence is liable to a maximum fine of HK$5 million and imprisonment for two years.
On Friday, a batch of dried seahorses weighing about 9kg was detected in an airmail parcel with the help of a sniffer dog, a spokesman from the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department said.
It was the second batch of dried seahorses to be intercepted in a month.
On November 11, 16.8kg of dried seahorses were intercepted at the same mail centre.
Seahorses are listed in appendix II to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, and are regulated under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance .
Fisheries officers are investigating the case.
They reminded the public to comply with the regulations and not to buy, import or export specimens or products of endangered species from dubious sources.
For inquires about the control of endangered species and to report suspected irregularities, the public are advised to call 1823.
Dried seahorses retail from about US$600 to US$3,000 per kg, with larger, paler and smoother animals commanding the highest prices.
The trading of seahorses is widespread in the region. Most are sold for Chinese medicinal use. Dried seahorses are ground into a powder to treat certain ailments. The most common application is for men with erectile dysfunction.
