Asian demand killing the sharks

AT a market in northern Peru, fishermen and traders barter over mutilated sharks, loading the fish onto motorised rickshaws. Much of the meat will be eaten locally, but the removed fins are headed elsewhere: Asia.

Peru is the world’s largest exporter of shark fins, according to marine protection organisation Oceana. The catches are usually sent to Asia, where shark fin soup is a delicacy that can cost over US$200 (RM924) a bowl.