Hong Kong Cracks Down on Illegal Shark Fin Trade In a Major Win for Shark Conservation

In an unprecedented step to protect sharks and other threatened species from overexploitation, lawmakers in Hong Kong approved the categorization of certain wildlife trafficking offences, such as shark fining, as Serious and Organized Crimes. This important legislation will give local law enforcement more power to investigate and prosecute illegal traffickers, the ability to seize their assets and the right to punish them with tougher sentences, including money laundering.

The NGO BLOOM Hong Kong played an important role in pushing for this change. It has worked tirelessly to curtail illegal shark fin trading by supporting compliance efforts in Hong Kong, through which about 50 percent of global fin trade transits.

Last year, the Shark Conservation Fund (SCF), a collaborative that The Moore Charitable Foundation is proud to support, hosted a three-day Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) shark fin training workshop for Hong Kong customs and agricultural staff. In the months following the January 2020 workshop, Hong Kong officials seized 15 metric tons of illegal fins in March 2020 and a record 26 metric tons — worth $8.6 million — in May 2020. Nearly seven metric tons of dried shark fins were further seized this spring.

Including wildlife trafficking under the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance makes wildlife crime level with other offenses, including murder, kidnapping and dealing in firearms and drugs. This positive development for conservation is even more impressive given Hong Kong’s complex political dynamic.

Underpinning SCF’s entire mission is the goal of ensuring that global trade of shark and ray products is effectively regulated, which requires listings in CITES. SCF has successfully advocated to add shark species to CITES listings, including the 18 species added in 2019 for a total of nearly 50 species, which accounts for approximately a quarter of Hong Kong’s shark fin trade. Once a CITES listing is secured, SCF allocates funding to help to ensure that full implementation is achieved at both the regional and global level.

SCF’s strategic funding of powerful groups like BLOOM has allowed it to make significant strides in the fight to end shark fin trading. We must continue to build on this recent success and work to protect healthy shark populations around the globe.