Three travellers who smuggled dried shark fins and dried seahorses were convicted for violating the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, and were sentenced to imprisonment today (January 11).
A spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said that the three travellers arrived in Hong Kong on August 23, 2019, from Manila, the Philippines. About 48, 63 and 72 kilograms of dried fins from silky sharks (Carcharhinus falciformis) were respectively found in the check-in baggage of these three travellers by Customs officers, as well as some 0.56kg of dried seahorses in one of the travellers' check-in baggage.
Subsequent to follow-up investigations, the AFCD charged the men with illegal import of listed species in Appendix II to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). They were convicted at the District Court earlier and each sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment today.
Silky sharks and seahorses are listed in Appendix II to the CITES and regulated under the Ordinance in Hong Kong. Any person importing, exporting or possessing specimens of endangered species not in accordance with the Ordinance commits an offence and will be liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for 10 years. The specimens will also be forfeited upon conviction.
To enquire about the control of endangered species or to report suspected irregularities, the public can call the AFCD on 1823 or visit www.cites.hk.
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