Hong Kong Customs yesterday (January 10) seized over 3 100 kilograms of suspected scheduled dried shark skins and over 140 kg of suspected scheduled dried shark fins with a total estimated market value of about $600,000 at the Kwai Chung Customhouse Cargo Examination Compound. This is the first time for Customs to seize shark species that have been newly added to schedule I to the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap. 586) since the amendments of the schedule came into effect on December 15, 2023.
Through risk assessment, Customs officers yesterday selected a 40-foot seaborne container, arriving in Hong Kong from Oman for inspection and found the batch of dried shark skins and dried shark fins suspected to be scheduled under the Ordinance inside the container.
The case was handed over to the AFCD for follow-up investigation.
Under the Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing, exporting, or possessing any endangered species without a required licence is liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for 10 years. For licensing requirements for the species listed on different appendices, members of the public may visit the website: www.cites.hk. For enquiries, please contact the AFCD through email (hk_cites@afcd.gov.hk) or call 1823.
Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
Ends/Thursday, January 11, 2024
