Mozambique is one of the main shark fin fishing spots in the world. The search for the fin is so lucrative that it is reducing the number of existing sharks, creating an imbalance in the marine ecosystem.
Since 2012, the governments of China and Malaysia, two of the four largest consumers of this product, have banned shark fin soup from all official ceremonies. "The measure contributed to a decrease in demand for fins", confirms the Hong Kong regional director of Shark Savers, John Lu, through a report released by the Chinese government.
The document shows that the decline in shark sales is between 70% and 80%. John Lu mentions that “65% of the population stopped consuming shark fin because of the campaign with the name “I´m finished with fins” (I stopped using the fins).
Hai-Finning in Mosambik Sharkproject International eVHai-Finning in Mosambik Sharkproject International eV
John Lu tells how difficult it is to reduce consumption of this delicacy that has become unsustainable: “We are fighting against a very typical dish in China, shark fin soup, which is mandatory at weddings and banquets. "The consumption of this soup is an ancient Chinese tradition.
Traditionally, sharks are caught in Taiwan, Hong Kong and China, but when "this resource runs out, fishermen and traders go to other places", he says. According to the activist, "the main points The current fisheries in the world are Malaysia, Costa Rica and Africa where Mozambique is included” reveals John Lu, regional director of Shark Savers on the phone with DW Africa from Hong Kong.
Exporting shark fins is illegal in Mozambique
In Mozambique, shark fishing has traditionally been low. In general, sharks were caught as “accidental fishing” and consumed locally. But since a few years ago, fin buyers from other parts of the world began to appear, increasing the pressure on shark capture, especially since it is ten times more profitable than any other type of fish.
Professor Almeida Guissamulo, a marine fauna researcher at Eduardo Mondlane University, says that “the fishermen capture the shark and keep it waiting for an itinerant trader to appear at the right time and place to export it clandestinely.”
Guissamulo confirms that Mozambique “does not allow the export of shark fins, which is why there is illegal export”, concludes the researcher.
Existing legislation is very vague. Alice Costa, environmental consultant for the Traffic organization, adds that she is working together with the Ministry of the Sea, Inland Waters and Fisheries “to develop a specific regulation for shark fishing, which will dictate which species are protected and which shark stock existing in Mozambique”. The environmentalist confirms that “there is no law that prohibits shark fishing. The only protected species that is being regulated is the great white shark”.
Hai-Finning in Mosambik Sharkproject International eVHai-Finning in Mosambik Sharkproject International eV
endangered ecosystem
The environmental impacts of shark overfishing are very negative because “sharks play a very important role in the ecosystem. They are top predators and eliminating them can completely unbalance the ecosystem” concludes Alice Costa.
Therefore, if fishermen sought quick gains from shark capture, they risk losing in the medium and long term with the damage they are currently causing to the marine ecosystem.
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