South African environmental officials seized more than three tonnes of shark fins, apparently destined for the Far East, in Cape Town harbour on Monday, the department said Tuesday.

The fins, valued at around two million rand (320,000 dollars/260,000 euros), were confiscated during a routine inspection by marine and coastal management officers. The operators of four premises in the harbour failed to produce valid fish processing permits, the SAPA news agency reported.

Carol Moses, a spokeswoman for South Africa's environmental affairs and tourism department, said: "No arrests have been made yet. We still have to establish exactly who the owners and processors are."

All the premises where the shark fins were processed have been shut down pending further investigation.

Shark fins, considered a delicacy in the Far East, are traditionally used in soup.

An increased demand has placed shark populations and the environment under threat, including in South Africa and Australia.