Marine Animals

Shark Finning Welfare and Conservation

Shark finning — removing fins at sea and discarding the live body — causes immense suffering and is driving multiple shark species toward extinction.

Key Facts

An estimated 100 million sharks are killed annually, primarily for fins
Live finning leaves sharks to drown or be eaten alive after being thrown back
China, Hong Kong, and Southeast Asia are the primary fin markets
Many shark species take 10-15 years to reach maturity, making recovery slow
Fins are largely cartilage — nutritionally minimal but culturally significant in shark fin soup

Welfare Considerations

Live finning is one of the most acutely cruel practices in commercial fishing: sharks are brought aboard, have their fins removed while conscious, and are then thrown back alive. They sink to the bottom and die slowly by suffocation, predation, or blood loss. The practice is driven entirely by the value of fins versus the cost of ice to preserve whole sharks. Where finning bans are enforced, welfare and conservation outcomes improve simultaneously.

What You Can Do

Never order shark fin soup or purchase products containing shark fin
Support Shark Guardian, WildAid, and Shark Conservation Fund campaigns
Advocate for fins-naturally-attached regulations in all fishing jurisdictions
Choose seafood from suppliers certified to have no shark interaction policies
Support bans on shark fin imports in countries that lack them