The shark fin trade drives millions of shark deaths annually through a practice that causes extreme suffering, with fins removed from live animals that are then discarded to drown.
Shark finning causes acute suffering on a massive scale. Sharks are fully conscious when their fins are removed; they slowly drown as they sink to the ocean floor unable to maintain the water flow over their gills needed to breathe. The welfare harm is severe and prolonged. Beyond individual suffering, the ecological impact of removing apex predators in vast numbers cascades through marine food webs, affecting the welfare of many other species indirectly. Demand reduction campaigns targeting shark fin soup consumption, combined with enforcement of existing bans, are the most effective welfare and conservation interventions.