Canadian company fined for illegally importing shark fins.

A trading company in Vancouver has been fined for importing hundreds of kilograms of shark fins from a threatened species.

A statement from Environment and Climate Change Canada says Kiu Yick Trading Company has been ordered to pay $60,000 for importing 434 kilograms of shark fins. It says the ruling was issued in provincial court after the company pleaded guilty to unlawfully importing an at-risk or threatened species in 2018, as part of a large shipment of dried shark fins from Hong Kong.

The fine must be paid to the federal government’s Environmental Damages Fund and Kiu Yick forfeited all 13 boxes of silky shark fins but was allowed to keep the remainder of the inspected shipment, which included fins from two other species of shark not considered at risk.

The silky shark, found in most of the world’s subtropical waters and known for the smooth texture of its skin, is ranked as “near threatened,” because its population is decreasing, it has a long gestation period, few young and is grows slowly.

It is important to note that these offences occurred in 2018 and before Canada outlawed all shark fin imports.

If you or your family want to learn more about the shark fin trade in Hong Kong, please make sure you follow Hong Kong Shark Foundation and join one of their walking tours or have them come talk to your company and/or school.

Courtesy of HKALPO

Main Source: Winnipeg Free Press