Shark Finning Welfare and Conservation

Shark finning — removing fins and returning sharks to the sea to drown — causes immense suffering and has decimated shark populations globally, with bans spreading but enforcement remaining a challenge.

Key Facts

An estimated 73 to 100 million sharks are killed annually with a significant proportion for fin trade
Finned sharks returned to the sea drown over hours as they cannot swim without their fins
The EU, US, and over 100 countries have banned shark finning but high seas enforcement is difficult
Some countries permit fins attached or fins removed on shore to verify species and prevent high discard rates
Shark populations have declined by over 70% since 1970 from fishing pressure including finning

Welfare Considerations

Finned sharks experience a prolonged death from drowning — unable to maintain the water flow over their gills without their fins, they sink to the seafloor and asphyxiate over hours. This is one of the clearest cases of extreme and preventable animal suffering in fisheries. The practice is driven by demand for shark fin soup in Chinese and Vietnamese cuisine. Consumer-facing demand reduction campaigns, strengthened finning bans, and fins-attached landing requirements are complementary interventions that together address both the welfare and conservation dimensions of shark finning.

What You Can Do

Never consume shark fin soup or products containing shark fin
Support Shark Guardian and WildAid demand reduction campaigns in shark fin consumer markets
Advocate for fins-attached landing requirements in your country fisheries regulations
Choose seafood from certified fisheries with shark bycatch reduction and no-finning policies