# @usfws on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DXAGj2eiftW
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/63666776-usfws-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/7160b4240a.jpg
- **Posted:** 2026-04-11T18:34:05.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (@usfws) — https://gondola.cc/usfws

## Caption

In October 2025, usfws wildlife inspectors seized roughly 50,000 dried shark fins across 20 shipments at multiple U.S. ports - totaling more than 1,600 pounds valued at over $1 million. The coordinated enforcement action was part of Operation Thunder, a global effort to combat illegal wildlife trade.

The first shipment was discovered by inspectors in Anchorage, Alaska, sparking a wider investigation. Their work led to the interception of additional shipments moving through Anchorage, Alaska; Louisville, Kentucky; and Cincinnati, Ohio while they were transiting from Mexico to Hong Kong. The shipments, each disguised as car parts, were found to be linked to a larger trafficking network.

The staggering number of fins were predominantly from silky sharks and bigeye thresher sharks, both protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). All fins were seized for multiple violations of wildlife laws – another strong step forward in stopping the illegal trade of threatened species.

Information concerning these violations has been shared with our international partners to support appropriate enforcement actions, including any measures they deem necessary under their respective authorities.

What can people do to help?

Reduce the demand – refuse items containing shark fins.

Report a wildlife crime: www.fws.gov/wildlife-crime-tips
 
Photo 1: 26 boxes of shark fins seized in Anchorage. Credit: USFWS
Photo 2: 2 boxes of shark fins seized in Cincinnati. Credit: USFWS
Photo 3: Shark fins seized in Louisville. Credit: USFWS
Photo 4: Silky shark pectoral fins seized in Cincinnati. Credit: USFWS #sharks #illegalwildlifetrade

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 17,359
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 477

## Tags

illegalwildlifetrade, sharks

---
Copyright (c) Gondola