Shark Finning Facts

Shark finning is the practice of chopping off the sharks' fin and releasing them back into the sea. Due to this cruel activity, the sharks without fins cannot swim efficiently. In such a condition, the gills cannot derive sufficient oxygen for respiration. Ultimately, they either drown or starve to death. As these sharks are less active, often they become a prey for other predators in the sea. The chopped fins are used in the traditional medicines or in the preparation of various dishes. Shark soup recipe is a delicacy in Asian cuisines.

Facts about Shark Finning

For carrying out finning, any shark species irrespective of the age and size are utilized. Shark finning takes place in the sea; the fishermen collect the pectoral and dorsal fins, returning the heavy and less valuable shark body into the sea. Shark fins account to less than 5 percent of the total body weight, hence after finning, the discarded shark body is of no use. Once transported to the land, the raw fins are processed to remove the skin, which are then frozen or dried. For drying, the processed fins are usually treated with hydrogen peroxide to retain color.

In the last few decades, the demand for shark fins has increased to a large extent. It is a multi-billion industry, in which one pound of dried shark fins is sold for as much as $300 and one bowl of shark fin soup costs about $350. Fins obtained from hammerhead shark are costlier than other species. Shark fin contains significant amounts of mercury that may cause various health problems. Speaking about the health problem caused due to the shark fins, it is revealed that frequent consumption of shark fin soup may lead to sterility disorder in men.

Shark finning is practiced in many countries, mainly in Europe, Hong Kong, mainland China, Malaysia and other Asian countries. According to a survey conducted, it is found that the demand for shark fins is dropped in Hong Kong, whereas it is increased in mainland China. In the Chinese culture, shark fin soup represents wealth and prestige since the Ming dynasty. It is served in weddings and other special occasions.

Though the exact statistics regarding the population decline of shark cannot be determined, it is estimated that several species have reduced to about 90 percent since the 1970s. According to the environmentalists, about 100-150 million sharks are killed annually through finning. As of now, there are no international monitoring and/or regulation on shark finning.

The IUCN has suggested that banning the act of shark finning can be achieved by imposing a law to bring the shark carcasses with the fins. In other words, the whole shark without removing the fins should be landed. However, the regulation of shark finning laws is in accordance to the respective judiciary. Despite the fact that Europe contributes maximum shark fishing, the EU legislation on finning is least regulated.

If the practice of shark finning continues, then there are chances that most of the shark species will become extinct within the next few decades. The mass reduction in shark population is due to the fact that shark harvesting is much higher than the reproduction rate. Since sharks are the top predators in seas and oceans, finning disturbs the natural stability of the marine ecosystem. In order to ban finning, public awareness programs on shark extinction rate, conservation status and its role on ecosystem should be taken up globally.