Once harvested, marine species are quickly consolidated for processing and packaging in preparation for onward transport. Live species such as eels, ornamental fish, invertebrates, and corals are separated and stored alive. In the case of corals or molluscs destined for the jewellery or curio trade, they may be dried or otherwise processed.

Criminals operating in legal businesses play a key role at this stage, laundering wildlife into the supply chain through legitimate marine processing facilities and marine products trading companies. At the same time, organised crime groups have become adept at large-scale wildlife processing, as evidenced by sophisticated abalone and shark fin processing. Warehouses, restaurants and even homes can serve as illegal marine products processors.

Transhipment at sea has received growing attention in relation to IUU fishing, and the same mechanism could allow marine species traffickers to evade port controls.