Two sharks were confiscated by the fisheries department last week after inspectors suspected they were the protected great whites.

Although regulations stipulate that all fish taken to the market must be intact on the outside, the sharks were missing their head, tail and fins and inspectors could not immediately verify the species, a government spokesman said.

The fisherman responsible, who insisted they were not great whites, was asked to retrieve the missing body parts for further analysis - and it was eventually established they were mako sharks.

The spokesman said since the species is not protected, the fisherman was let off.

Alex Buttigieg, an expert on sharks, said despite being relatives, great whites were much bigger than mako sharks that were faster and fed on a different diet. The latter were also not as dangerous.

Nature Trust congratulated the department on its "prompt response and thorough investigation, which shows commitment and determination to protect the sharks".

It said this showed determination to clamp down on illegal fishing. Earlier this year, the EU announced an action plan for the conservation and management of sharks, which protects them from being fished for their fins, a delicacy used in an oriental soup.

kbugeja@timesofmalta.com