Woman jailed 10 months for illegal import of dried shark fins
A woman was sentenced to 10 months in prison today for illegally importing about 52 kg of dried shark fins, valued at about HK$200,000, through Hong Kong International Airport. The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department said the goods were seized in March.
A woman was sentenced to 10 months' imprisonment today (16 October) at the District Court for illegally importing dried shark fins, a controlled species under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance.
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said the traveller arrived at Hong Kong International Airport from Brazil via Ethiopia on 22 March this year. Customs officers inspected her luggage and found a batch of suspected controlled dried shark fins. AFCD officers later confirmed the items were controlled dried shark fins, weighing about 52 kg in total and with an estimated market value of about HK$200,000.
The AFCD prosecuted the woman for illegal import of endangered species. The court set a sentencing starting point of 15 months, and after a one-third reduction for a guilty plea, the woman was sentenced to 10 months' imprisonment.
Some shark and ray species are listed in the appendices to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and are regulated under the ordinance in Hong Kong. Any person who imports, exports or possesses endangered species without a licence under the ordinance commits an offence. Upon conviction, the maximum penalty is a fine of HK$10 million and imprisonment for 10 years, and the items involved will be forfeited.
An AFCD spokesman said the Government is committed to protecting endangered species. The AFCD and the Customs and Excise Department will remain vigilant and continue to monitor and combat illegal activities involving endangered species.
Members of the public who suspect such illegal activities are urged to report them to the AFCD by calling 1823. Information on the control of endangered species in Hong Kong is available on the department's website at www.cites.hk.