The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has been commended for its heroic efforts in confiscating thousands of pounds of illegal fish fins.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), a key agency within the U.S. Department of the Interior, spearheads the fight against wildlife trafficking in the country.
In October 2025, the agency’s dedication was evident when wildlife inspectors intercepted 1,600 pounds of shark fins during inspections in Anchorage, Alaska, as reported by the USFWS.
Authorities discovered shark fins valued at over $1 million at various U.S. ports, beginning with a shipment in Anchorage.
The shipment, camouflaged as car parts, was routed through Alaska, Kentucky, and Ohio, and officials noted it was part of a broader trafficking network.
“The coordinated enforcement action was part of Operation Thunder, a global initiative to tackle illegal wildlife trade,” stated the Wildlife Service.
“These weren’t minor infractions,” noted a statement from the USFWS.
“This was a sophisticated criminal network profiting from protected species.”
Officers released a photo showing the 26 boxes of shark fins that were concealed.
The majority of the fins were from silky sharks and bigeye thresher sharks, both of which are protected species.
The USFWS emphasized that wildlife trafficking poses threats to human health by increasing the risk of zoonotic diseases and negatively affecting food supplies, land, and essential natural resources needed for human survival.
