A passerby named Jian snapped horrifying images of endangered hammerhead sharks for sale at a market in China on April 9. The photos of almost 100 hammerheads piled up for sale in Hainan Resort City were posted on Chinese social media Weibo and WeChat where a debate ensued.

The pictures of the hammerhead sharks spotted in Sanya, southern China's Hainan province, caused a stir when it was shared. It was around 7a.m. that Jian went to the pier to buy seafood, but he was shocked to see that almost 100 hammerheads were sold for a very low price.

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"Hammerhead sharks are endangered species protected by the international covenant. But here they are selling them at 15 Yuan per jin," he said to People's Daily Online. "This is heart-breaking."

More so, another witness named Liang was shocked to see that the endangered species were sold for a very cheap price. China Daily reports that authorities are now investigating the incident.

The pictures of the scalloped hammerhead sharks sparked anger among online users. Most believe that the sharks were hunted for their fins. The fins are used in delicacies such as fin soup and other expensive Chinese cuisine.

Under the International Trade Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, hammerheads are listed as endangered and China has agreed to its protection. However, there are speculations that fishermen may not be aware of this, and capturing the shark may not be intentional.

Duan Deyu, Deputy Director of Sanya's Bureau of Ocean and Fisheries said that the sharks on sale last Saturday were already confiscated. Authorities are reportedly still looking for the traders and buyers involved. Duan said that pamphlets will be given to fishermen to raise their awareness and guides will be sent to fishing boats too.

TagsHammerhead Sharks Sold Illegally in China, Hammerhead Sharks on Sale in Hainan, Hammerhead Shark Pictures Goes Viral, Protection of Endangered Species, Hammerhead Sharks, Illegal Fishing of Sharks