What happened
Shark finning is the removal of shark fins, often while the shark is still alive, followed by discarding the body. The practice matters because it is cruel, wasteful, and strongly associated with illegal trade in shark products.
Illegal shark fins continue to be landed in Dakar, Senegal, by Chinese and Taiwanese longline tuna vessels. The Environmental Justice Foundation is cited for that finding, and the fins are shipped to parts of Asia for shark fin soup and for traditional medicine uses.
Why the issue matters
Regulatory background
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