Ibama fines company R$ 50 million for illegal shark fin export attempt

The Brazilian Institute of the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (Ibama) has issued a R$ 50 million fine to a company following an attempt to illegally export 17 tons of shark fins. The shipment was intercepted at the Port of Itapoá in Santa Catarina by Federal Revenue agents on October 27, 2026.

Authorities discovered that the fins were fraudulently labeled as sardines to evade inspection. Ibama estimates that approximately 5,700 sharks may have been killed to produce the cargo. The shipment included blue sharks and anequim sharks, the latter of which is an endangered species.

This incident represents one of the largest recent environmental fines in Brazil, highlighting ongoing efforts to combat illegal wildlife trafficking and fraudulent identification schemes in maritime ports.