A Canadian-led patrol of the North Pacific has uncovered dozens of alleged fisheries violations, including illegal shark finning and killing of dolphins.

Sean Wheeler, international enforcement chief for the Fisheries Department, says the two-month surveillance mission was the first to include crews from three other countries, including the United States, Japan and South Korea, on a single vessel.

He says the Canadian Coast Guard vessel conducted 41 high-seas inspections between May and July, finding 39 potential violations of international fisheries rules.

In addition to illegal shark finning and the killing of dolphins, often for shark bait, Wheeler says the mission uncovered alleged misreporting or inaccurate reporting of catch and bycatch, along with obstruction and destruct

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