Hamada Suisan Co. Ltd., Shark Finning, Hawaii 2018

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Japanese Fishing Vessel Shark Finning Punished in Hawaii

In a major victory for ocean conservation, Hamada Suisan Co. Ltd., the owner of the Japanese-flagged fishing vessel, M.V. Kyoshin Maru No. 20, pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting the attempted export of shark fins out of Hawaii in violation of the Lacey Act.

On November 6, 2018, Transportation Security Administration officers discovered approximately 962 shark fins, weighing approximately 190 pounds, in 10 of the fishermen’s checked luggage during routine screening at Honolulu International Airport.

The shark fins were later determined to be worth as much as $57,850 on the black market. Some of the shark fins were from oceanic whitetip sharks, which are listed as threatened species under the Endangered Species Act and are protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).

The company was sentenced to pay a fine of $126,000, forfeiture of $119,000 (representing the value of the vessel), and a period of probation of three years. This sentence represents the largest monetary penalty ever imposed for a federal shark finning case.

During the three-year probation period, the company must comply with a robust compliance plan developed in coordination with the government and supervised by the probation officer. The company must also retire and relinquish the fishing license in Japan previously associated with the Kyoshin Maru.

“Shark finning is a cruel practice, prohibited by federal law, numerous states, including Hawaii, and multilateral bodies to which both the United States and Japan belong,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Jonathan D. Brightbill for the Environment and Natural Resources Division.

“Shark finning is inhumane, intolerable, and takes a very real toll on our precious ocean ecosystem,” said U.S. Attorney Kenji M. Price for the District of Hawaii. “My office is committed to combatting this cruel practice by prosecuting to the fullest extent of the law anyone found to be trafficking in these types of shark fins.”

Hamada Suisan Co. Ltd. will pay a fine of $126,000 and forfeit $119,000 (representing the value of the vessel), and serve a period of probation of three years. This sentence represents the largest monetary penalty ever imposed for a federal shark finning case.

Mandatory Facts:
Defendant/Respondent: Hamada Suisan Co. Ltd.
Exact Criminal Charges: Aiding and abetting the attempted export of shark fins out of Hawaii in violation of the Lacey Act
City and State: Honolulu, Hawaii
Exact Date: November 6, 2018
Sentence or Outcome: $126,000 fine, $119,000 forfeiture, and 3-year probation
Dollar Amounts: $126,000 fine and $119,000 forfeiture