Aquatic Animals

Wild Shark Welfare and Finning

Shark finning involves removing fins at sea and discarding live sharks. This practice causes significant suffering and threatens shark populations that are ecologically critical.

Key Facts

Finned sharks are often thrown back alive and die slowly from suffocation or predation after their fins are removed
An estimated 73-100 million sharks are killed annually largely for the fin trade
Shark fin soup demand in Chinese markets drives the majority of global shark finning activity
Over 30 countries and many airline carriers have banned shark fin trade and transport

Welfare Considerations

Shark finning causes one of the most welfare-compromising practices in any fishery: sharks are mutilated while alive and conscious, their fins removed, and they are returned to the water to die slowly. The suffering involved is significant and unnecessary. Consumer rejection of shark fin products directly reduces demand for this practice. Policy bans on finning and fin trade are advancing globally and deserve support.

What You Can Do

Never consume shark fin soup or any products containing shark fin
Support campaigns for shark finning bans in countries and territories that still permit the practice
Choose restaurants and hotels that have formally committed to removing shark fin from their menus
Advocate for airline and shipping carrier policies prohibiting shark fin cargo transport