Back Boning Costa Rica

Interpol photo

Costa Rica was one of the leading shark fin exporters until they placed a ban on shark finning in 2012. Now, Costa Rican fisherman are using a new technique, called "back-boning", to try and skirt the countrys' ban on shark finning which requires sharks to be brought ashore with their fins still attached to their spinal column.
Previously, fisherman would cut off the more valuable shark fins and dump the rest of the sharks body back into the sea. This allowed fisherman to carry a larger number of shark fins, which are roughly 100 times more valuable per pound then the rest of the shark, without loading their boats with the entire shark body. The practice of "back-boning" leaves the sharks' fin attached to the spinal column while the rest of the sharks body is cut away while at sea. One Costa Rican woman has been accused of landing 652 shark fins using the "back-boning" practice and is to stand trail this week.

Read more from Inside Costa Rica - Woman will face charges of shark finning this week