Inp.polri.go.id - Banyuwangi. Quarantine officers at Ketapang Port, Banyuwangi, East Java, foiled the illegal shipment of 120 kilograms of fresh shark meat on Saturday (13/12/2025), preventing the trade of protected marine species. 

The case was uncovered during an inspection of a shipment declared as marlin fish.

“During species verification, officers found fresh shark meat hidden in two packages and mixed with marlin fish,” said Indah Praptiasih, the Coordinator of Fish Quarantine at Ketapang Port, as cited by antaranews.com

The sharks were cut into pieces and concealed to evade inspection. Further identification, conducted in coordination with the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, confirmed three species: scalloped hammerhead, bigeye thresher, and silky shark. All are listed under Appendix II of CITES, meaning their trade is strictly regulated to protect population sustainability.

The seized shark meat is currently secured at the Ketapang Quarantine Office. Authorities are investigating the ownership and parties responsible for the attempted shipment, which lacked the required legal documents.

(mg/inp/pr/rs)