SARASOTA, Fla. - Research shows the illegal shark fin trade is still occurring globally despite international protections spanning more than a decade.

What we know:

Despite international protections put in place to protect five species of threatened sharks worldwide, research from Mote Marine Laboratory and others has uncovered an ever-strong illegal shark fin and meat trade.

Researchers are sounding the alarm as these sharks face a continued threat of extinction.

Shark fins are sought-after items in Hong Kong Markets, but regulations passed in 2013 to protect five threatened species should limit the number for sale in those markets. The species include Porbeagle, Oceanic White Tip, Scalloped Hammerhead, Smooth Hammerhead and great hammerhead sharks.

"According to the legal trade.

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