Shark Welfare in Commercial Fishing

Sharks caught as bycatch or targeted for fins experience acute welfare harm, and some species face extinction-level pressure.

Key Facts

An estimated 100 million sharks are killed annually through fishing — as target species and bycatch
Shark finning — removing fins and discarding the body at sea — has been banned in EU and US waters but continues globally
Sharks caught and released in recreational fishing show elevated stress responses lasting 24+ hours
Shark liver oil (squalene) is widely used in cosmetics and vaccines — creating demand-side welfare issues
Large shark species like great white and hammerhead cannot be kept in captivity and transported alive

Welfare Considerations

Shark welfare in commercial and recreational fishing receives almost no attention despite substantial evidence of shark cognition and stress capacity. Sharks caught and released in recreational fisheries show physiological stress responses affecting immune function and behaviour for hours after release. Sharks targeted for fins die slowly after fin removal. Bycatch sharks die in nets or on longlines alongside target species. The combination of welfare harm and conservation threat makes shark fishing reform both an individual welfare and population-level priority.

What You Can Do

Support Shark Trust and WildAid campaigns against shark finning and bycatch
Check cosmetics for squalene from shark sources and choose plant-based alternatives
Advocate for catch-and-release welfare standards in shark recreational fishing
Support marine protected areas that reduce shark fishing pressure
Never purchase shark fin products or consume shark fin soup