Shark finning, the practice of removing a shark’s fins and discarding the rest of the body at sea, is a highly wasteful and brutal process that drives the global decline of marine ecosystems. Fins are the most valuable part of the animal and take up minimal storage space, maximizing profit per trip. Sharks are particularly vulnerable to this pressure due to their slow growth rates and low reproductive output, traits that make populations slow to recover from overexploitation. An estimated 73 to 100 million sharks are killed annually for the trade. Addressing this crisis requires a multi-pronged approach that targets the practice, the market, and the enforcement gap.
Global Legislative Strategies
Governments and international bodies have focused on regulations to prohibit the act of finning at sea. The most effective policy implemented globally is the “Fins Naturally Attached” requirement, which mandates that any shark landed must have its fins still connected to the carcass. This measure closes the loophole that allowed fishers to claim fins came from legally caught sharks, ensuring the entire animal is accounted for and preventing the wasteful discarding of bodies.
The United States pioneered this approach with the Shark Conservation Act, requiring the fins-attached rule for all sharks landed in U.S. waters. Internationally, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) lists vulnerable shark species on Appendix II. This listing requires that all international commerce in fins and other products from these species be non-detrimental to their survival, compelling nations to prove their fisheries are managed sustainably.
Reducing Economic Incentives
The high market value of fins, often fetching hundreds of dollars per kilogram, is the core economic driver. Strategies that target the supply chain and consumer demand make the trade less profitable and more risky for participants.
Federal and municipal bans on the sale, possession, and trade of fins are a direct way to reduce demand in consumer countries. For example, the U.S. federal Shark Fin Sales Elimination Act and similar laws in over a dozen individual states remove a lucrative domestic market for the product, regardless of where the shark was caught.
Major airlines and shipping companies have adopted “No Shark Fin” carriage policies, significantly restricting the global transport of fins. Over 45 airlines and more than 20 major shipping lines have refused to carry the cargo. This refusal by transport logistics companies disrupts the supply chain, contributing to a measurable decline in the volume of fins passing through key trade centers.
Improving Ocean Monitoring Technology
The vastness of the ocean presents a significant challenge to enforcing finning bans, particularly in international waters where jurisdiction is complex. Enforcement focuses on tracking Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing. Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS) and the Automatic Identification System (AIS) are transponder technologies that transmit a regulated vessel’s position and are legally required for many commercial fishing fleets.
Satellite surveillance and advanced remote sensing techniques detect vessels that intentionally turn off their AIS, often referred to as “dark vessels,” indicating potential illegal activity. Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) detects vessels on the water even through clouds or at night, and is combined with artificial intelligence to analyze movement patterns. Unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones, are increasingly used by enforcement agencies for real-time surveillance of coastal marine protected areas, providing a cost-effective way to catch violators.
How Individuals Can Get Involved
Individual action plays a significant role in reducing the demand that drives the illegal trade. The most direct contribution a person can make is through conscious consumer choice, avoiding the consumption of shark fin soup and all products containing fins.
Individuals can also support political action by lobbying local and state legislators to pass or strengthen municipal bans on the sale and trade of shark fins. Supporting reputable conservation organizations provides them with the resources needed for research, advocacy, and on-the-ground enforcement efforts. Promoting awareness of the health risks associated with shark products, such as high levels of mercury and other toxins, can help further reduce consumer demand.