Netizens have been outraged after hundreds of fins were removed from endangered sharks that then ended up being dumped on a port sidewalk.

The shark fins, reportedly from hammerhead sharks, which is an endangered species, were discovered in Porto de Raposa, in Sao Luis Metropolitan Region, Brazil on 5th January.

The footage shows hundreds of shark fins on the shore.

The Engineering and Fisheries Course at the Federal University of Maranhao (UFMA) said that it is possible that the fins were left to dry after being removed from the sharks.

They said: “They [the fins] need to be dried, as recorded in the video and photo. They were drying. Normally this is done in a restricted or closed area and never exposed as in this situation […]

Leonardo Soares, a vice-rector of UFMA, said: “Preliminary information indicates that the fins are exported (we don’t know how) for the production of soups (delicacies) in Asian countries.

“We have already spoken with the competent authorities and will be filing a formal complaint with Ibama, Sema and the Environmental Military Police Battalion.”

“Fishermen do not usually expose the fins so as not to attract onlookers. They are then sold.”

The practice is known as ‘shark finning ‘, in which sharks are caught and the fins are removed before the animal is discarded alive into the water, according to local media.

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According to the Brazilian Institute of the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources, fishing for sharks is permitted in the country, but only under a series of restrictions.

However, ‘shark finning’ is prohibited in the country, according to local media.

Netizen ‘laraafs.adm’ was one of those who expressed their outrage on Instagram: “Unfortunately, many are not concerned with the food chain or biodiversity. Evil comes first and the fact that they ‘appear’ thinking they are doing the right thing. Bunch of ignorant people. Ugh, disgusting!!”

State Secretariat for the Environment and Natural Resources (SEMA) informed that it will start an investigation into this illegal shark trade.

They added that they will intensify inspections in ports. Markets and other areas prone to illegal trade and will also punish those responsible.

Raposa City Hall reported that they are also investigating the case