Sharks face multiple human-caused welfare harms including the brutal practice of finning, bycatch mortality, and the difficulties of keeping these wide-ranging predators in captivity.
Sharks are poorly served by animal welfare frameworks, receiving little protection despite evidence of pain responses and a role in marine ecosystems that affects the welfare of other species. Shark finning is one of the most brutal practices in commercial fishing — finned sharks, unable to move water over their gills, sink to the bottom and drown slowly. The demand for shark fin soup drives this practice despite growing international opposition. Captive sharks in aquariums often deteriorate rapidly due to the impossibility of replicating their vast natural ranges and prey diversity. Both welfare concerns deserve greater attention and regulatory response.