Sharks are ecologically critical apex predators facing population collapse from fishing pressure, with individual welfare considerations spanning scientific research, ecotourism, and fisheries bycatch.
Shark welfare considerations arise in multiple contexts. Scientific research including tagging and sampling causes handling stress and occasional mortality. Cage diving operations that use food to attract sharks can alter natural behavior and create dependency. Sharks used in public aquariums often fail to survive long periods as they require vast swimming space. Recreational fishing of sharks causes injury and stress. As apex predators, sharks regulate ecosystems and their removal creates cascading welfare impacts throughout food webs. Individual shark welfare during scientific research is improved by protocols minimizing air exposure, handling time, and temperature stress. Catch-and-release fishing of sharks carries significant mortality risk from physiological stress, and best practice protocols including post-release monitoring are essential.