Shark fin haul probed

2004-03-30 15:59

Cape Town - The department of environmental affairs and tourism (Deat) was still counting a haul of confiscated shark fins in Cape Town harbour on Tuesday afternoon, estimated to be worth more than R2m.

The consignment of shark fins weighing more than three tons, all seemingly destined for the Far East market, was confiscated on Monday following a routine inspection by Marine and Coastal Management officers.

According to a Deat statement on Tuesday, the shark fins were confiscated after the operators of the four raided premises failed to produce valid fish processing permits.

"No arrests have been made yet. We still have to establish exactly who the owners and processors are," said Deat spokesperson Carol Moses.

All the premises where the shark fins were housed have been shut down pending further investigation.

Shark fins are considered a delicacy in the Far East, and are traditionally used in soups.

Moses said in a separate incident, the master of the vessel African Queen appeared briefly in the Cape Town magistrate's court after he was arrested when West Coast rock lobster tails were found on board his vessel.

The tails, which together weighed about 100kg, were packed in bags and hidden between ice and hake on board the vessel.

The vessel, which was currently being detained by Deat, was fishing on behalf of Bay View fishing company.

Bay View only has a commercial hake permit.

- SAPA