Marine

Shark Fin Trade Welfare and Population Impacts

Shark finning - removing fins and discarding the live shark - causes severe suffering and kills tens of millions of sharks annually. Bans have reduced but not eliminated the trade.

Key Facts

An estimated 73 million sharks are killed for fins annually, with finning causing direct suffering
Sharks may remain alive while sinking to the seafloor after finning
The UK banned shark finning at sea in 2009 but fin trade continues via imports
Many countries including the US and EU have strengthened finning bans

Welfare Considerations

Shark finning causes death by suffocation or predation after removal of fins from living animals. Complete bans on fin import and export, combined with fins-naturally-attached policies, are the most effective welfare and conservation measures.

What You Can Do

Avoid shark fin soup and any restaurant serving it
Support UK import ban campaigns for shark fins through conservation organisations
Buy seafood from fisheries with documented shark bycatch reduction measures