U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Seizes 1,600 Pounds of Illegal Shark Fins in Alaska
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has intercepted 1,600 pounds of illegal shark fins in Anchorage, Alaska, as part of a broader effort to combat wildlife trafficking. The fins, valued at over $1 million, were disguised as car parts and were part of a larger trafficking network that spanned multiple U.S. ports, including Kentucky and Ohio. This operation, known as Operation Thunder, is a global initiative aimed at curbing illegal wildlife trade. The seized fins primarily came from silky sharks and bigeye thresher sharks, both of which are protected species.