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Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Airport officials uncover horrifying secret inside mislabeled seafood shipment: 'This is a clear message'
Thai customs seized a massive shipment of shark fins amid crackdowns on wildlife smuggling. According to The Nation, 402 shark fins were found at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Thailand. Authorities seized a shipment labeled "dry fish," which had over 100 kilograms of shark fins inside. Officials estimated that the illegal shipment was worth about 2 million Thai baht, the equivalent of about $60,000. Prior to arriving at Suvarnabhumi Airport, the shipment of shark fins had been transported through China and originally left from Trinidad and Tobago. Removing and transporting shark fins violates several laws, including the Wildlife Preservation and Protection Act, the Animal Epidemics Act, the Royal Ordinance on Fisheries, and the Customs Act. Wildlife smuggling not only threatens the species being trafficked but also the entire ecosystem. When one group of species is overhunted, it triggers a domino effect, disrupting the whole food chain. Since sharks are at the top of the food chain, a decline in their populations can result in an increase in their prey, which can throw off the balance of other marine species. What's worse, selling shark fins raises numerous ethical concerns. Hunters will often cut off a shark's fin and throw the creature back into the ocean. Without their fins, the sharks either drown or slowly bleed to death. Thailand has escalated its initiatives to seize and stop wildlife trafficking. According to The Nation, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra gave directives to the Thai Customs Department to address the crisis. The seizure of the shark fins is a reflection of the country's efforts to combat wildlife trafficking. Which of these groups has the biggest role to play in reducing food waste? Grocery stores Restaurants Individuals The government Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. "This is a clear message that Thailand will not be a transit point for illegal wildlife trade," Pantong Loykulnant, advisor on tax development and administration and spokesperson for the department, told The Nation. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
The Star
04-05-2025
- The Star
Thai Customs seizes over 400 shark fins smuggled through Suvarnabhumi Airport
BANGKOK: The Thai Customs Department has ramped up efforts to crack down on illegal smuggling following directives from Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, with a major seizure of shark fins this week highlighting the scale of the issue. Pantong Loykulnant, Advisor on Tax Development and Administration and spokesperson for the department, said the latest operation was part of a broader policy push to tighten control over imports and exports—particularly those involving dutiable, illegal, prohibited, or restricted goods. Acting on intelligence from the Anti-Smuggling Bureau under China's General Administration of Customs (GACC), which warned of shipments potentially breaching the international CITES convention (regulating endangered species trade), Thai authorities launched an investigation. On May 1, a coordinated raid at Suvarnabhumi Airport's bonded warehouse led to the seizure of a suspicious shipment labelLed 'DRY FISH.' The cargo had originated from Trinidad and Tobago, transited through China, and was en route to Thailand. Upon inspection, officials discovered 402 pieces of shark fins, weighing around 102kg and estimated to be worth over 2 million baht. The operation was a joint effort by the Customs Department's Enforcement Division, Suvarnabhumi Customs Office, Department of Fisheries, the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division, and Thai Airways. According to the Customs Department, the import of these fins violates several Thai laws: Wildlife Preservation and Protection Act (2019) – for bringing in protected animal remains without permission. Animal Epidemics Act (2015) – for importing animal remains illegally. Royal Ordinance on Fisheries (2015) – for lack of proper certification and import permits for aquatic animal parts. Customs Act (2017) – for smuggling restricted items into the country. The confiscated items have been handed over to the Fisheries Inspection Post at Suvarnabhumi Airport, and the case has been forwarded to police investigators for legal action. 'This is a clear message that Thailand will not be a transit point for illegal wildlife trade,' said Pantong. - The Nation/ANN
