Feds Seize $1 Million Of Dried Shark Fins At Miami Airport

MIAMI, FL — Federal officials have seized an estimated $1 million of dried shark fins at Miami International Airport. Shark fins are used primarily to make shark fin soup but are prohibited from being imported into the United States or passing through the United States on their way to other countries.

"U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of field operations at Miami International Airport in conjunction with U.S. Fish and Wildlife inspectors seized 1,400 pounds of shark fins," Zachary Mann of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office told Patch.

Sharks play an important role as top predators in many marine ecosystems, according to conservation group Beneath The Waves, which estimates nearly a third of the ocean's shark species face a "high risk" of extinction as a result of over fishing.

Federal officials announced the seizure of the shark fins at a Thursday morning press conference in Doral.

Shark fins are listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species and a violation of the U.S. Lacey Act, which covers all protected fish and wildlife and their parts or products.

Mann said 100 million sharks are killed every year, primarily for their fins.

"Researchers have determined there is no medicinal benefit and there is no flavor from the shark fin," Mann said.

He said cooks add other ingredients to give shark fin soup its flavor. "They have to add something like chicken broth or something else because the shark fins have no medicinal value and no flavor," he said.