Shark Finning Fuels Illegal Trade Through Dakar Port

In the high seas off west Africa, a grim practice persists despite widespread prohibitions: shark finning. Vessels, primarily from China and Taiwan, are reportedly landing shark fins at Dakar, Senegal's bustling fishing port, for shipment to Asia. Fishermen detail how live sharks are finned, their lucrative appendages removed, and the sharks then discarded back into the water to drown.

This illegal trade is occurring despite regulations aimed at preventing such activities. Conservationists highlight that shark populations have seen a dramatic 71% decline since 1970 due to industrial fishing. Finning, described as inherently cruel, not only decimates shark numbers but is often linked to other illegal fishing practices and human rights abuses.

Fisher testimonies suggest significant involvement in finning among distant water longline tuna fleets. Researchers interviewed Indonesian and Filipino crew members who described discreet, often nighttime, unloading of fins in Dakar, comparing the operation to "theft." Senegalese authorities acknowledge the possibility of malfeasance and suggest international observer monitoring.

As apex predators, sharks are vital for ocean health, yet 70% of pelagic sharks face extinction. An estimated 80-101 million sharks are killed annually. To combat this crisis, experts advocate for a global "fins naturally attached" policy, requiring fins to remain on the shark's body upon landing. This measure aims to prevent finning, simplify port inspections, and ultimately protect the world's oceans by preserving shark populations.