Shark fins 2012 10 16

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A world leader in conservation, the Central American country vows to stop the shark fin trade.

Sharks pushed to the edge of extinction by global overfishing

Around 100 million sharks are killed each year despite law designed to protect them, pushing many species closer and closer to the brink.

Three shark species given additional Cites protection

Conservation body votes in additional protection for oceanic whitetip, hammerhead varieties and the porbeagle — although vote could be overturned.

Shark fins in a bag await delivery at a wholesale warehouse in Hong Kong, where they will be used for dishes like shark fin soup. Conservationists have fought to stop the practice of shark finning.

Laurent Fievet

AFP/Getty Images