Marine Animal Welfare

Shark Commercial Fisheries Welfare

Commercial shark fisheries cause significant welfare harm through bycatch, finning, and slow death; international management is critical.

Key Facts

Approximately 100 million sharks are killed annually in commercial fisheries
Shark finning - removing fins and discarding the live body - is illegal in many countries but persists
Sharks caught on longlines can take hours to die, causing extreme suffering
CITES Appendix II listings now require trade permits for many shark species
Shark sanctuaries have been established in over 30 countries, prohibiting commercial shark fishing

Welfare Considerations

Sharks are sentient animals capable of suffering; the scale of commercial shark mortality and the methods used represent one of the largest and most acute marine welfare crises.

What You Can Do

Avoid shark fin soup and products containing shark derivatives
Support organisations campaigning for global shark fishing reform
Advocate for expansion of shark sanctuaries and stronger CITES protections