Peru’s Ministry of Production (PRODUCE) has banned the landing of loose shark fins – an activity known locally as “flapping” – to prevent illegal trade in the product and to promote the full use of the shark resource, which is in line with international commitments made by the country.
Through Supreme Decree No. 021-2016-PRODUCE, published in the official newspaper El Peruano, it is provided that the shark fishery resource must be landed with the presence of the head and all its fins, totally or partially adhered to his body in its natural shape. As such, the landing or transfer of loose fins or sharks without fins is prohibited throughout the country.
The measure is in line with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), of which Peru is a party, which provides for the international control of the trade of some sharks, including the hammerhead species that sustain an artisanal fishery in Peru.
This control implies that the parties must resolve technical and administrative issues related to the issuance of export permits, known as "non-detriment findings" (DENP), which presuppose an understanding of the composition of catches by species. Therefore, for the monitoring and supervision of shore-based catches, it is necessary for the sharks to be landed in a way that species identification is possible.
The rule also prohibits the possession and use of fishing gear known as "animal harpoons.” This is because it does not represent an important element in the artisanal fishery and, on the contrary, its misuse has been reported for the capture of minor cetaceans and other species protected by law.
