Wild Hammerhead Shark Welfare and Fin Trade

Hammerhead sharks are among the most threatened shark species globally due to fin trade demand and are particularly vulnerable to longline bycatch.

Key Facts

All three oceanic hammerhead species are classified as critically endangered or endangered
Their distinctive head shape makes them disproportionately vulnerable to longline gear entanglement
Hammerhead fins are among the most valued in the shark fin trade due to their distinctive shape
Hammerheads have particularly low post-release survival rates in catch-and-release fishing
CITES listing has provided some trade protection but enforcement remains challenging

Welfare Considerations

Hammerhead shark welfare combines the acute suffering of fin removal while alive with the conservation catastrophe of critically endangered status. Their unique cephalofoil head shape that makes them distinctive and important for electrosensory hunting also makes them more vulnerable to entanglement and more desirable to the fin trade. Post-finning survival rates are even lower than for other sharks as they struggle to swim after fin removal. The welfare and conservation cases for hammerhead protection are identical and compelling.

What You Can Do

Never consume shark fin products including hammerhead fins
Support CITES enforcement programs protecting hammerhead sharks in international trade
Advocate for hammerhead shark fishing restrictions in international waters
Donate to organizations monitoring hammerhead population trends and advocating for protection