Wild Animals

Shark Finning and Marine Welfare

Shark finning — cutting fins from live sharks and discarding the body — causes immense suffering and threatens marine ecosystems.

Key Facts

An estimated 73-100 million sharks are killed annually, many for their fins
Finning involves cutting fins from conscious sharks and returning them to the water to die
Sharks are fundamental to marine ecosystem health as apex predators
Over 100 million pounds of shark fin are consumed in soup annually, primarily in Asia
Many countries and regions have banned finning but global enforcement is inadequate

Welfare Considerations

Shark finning causes extreme and prolonged suffering, leaving conscious sharks to drown or be eaten alive on the ocean floor after their fins are removed. Beyond individual suffering, the depletion of shark populations disrupts marine food webs with consequences for countless other species. Finning bans must be strengthened and enforced globally.

What You Can Do

Refuse to purchase or consume shark fin products
Support campaigns for global shark finning bans and enforcement
Advocate for protection of shark species through sustainable fisheries management
Support marine protected areas where sharks can recover from overfishing
Raise awareness about the ecological role of sharks and the cruelty of finning