Francesca Capozzi Do you know what shark finning is? The shark fin trade continues to threaten the survival of these marine species.
Caught in the oceans by fishing boats, sharks are mutilated alive for their fins, thrown back into the sea with their bodies torn and bleeding, doomed to die in excruciating pain, either drowning or falling prey to other species.
This is the barbarity of shark finning, a practice that involves cutting off the fins of sharks, leading to a dramatic decline in their populations worldwide.
A Massive Slaughter
Each year, tens of millions of sharks are hunted and killed for their fins. It is estimated that about 100 million sharks are massacred annually, primarily for this business—an unsustainable number for the future of these species.
The High Demand for Shark Fins
Shark fins are considered the most valuable part of the animal and are in high demand in Asia for soups and other dishes. The removal is done onboard vessels or in ports. Each country has its own regulations, which nevertheless do not justify such a cruel practice.
Finning causes immense pain to sharks, which are abandoned in the sea as the rest of their bodies are deemed worthless and not marketed. They die from blood loss, suffocation, or are unable to swim.
Global Efforts to Combat Shark Finning
The alarming growth of the shark finning industry and its dramatic impacts have led to the formation of the Shark Alliance, a coalition of around 100 international research and animal protection organizations. Founded in 2006, the coalition aims to conserve these predators.
In 2009, the coalition’s campaigns prompted the European Union to introduce the Shark Conservation and Management Action Plan. In 2013, the Fins Naturally Attached regulation came into force, requiring fishing vessels to land sharks with their fins still attached.
Continuing Challenges
Despite stronger protections over the years, Europe continues to contribute to shark finning. This brutal business is not limited to Asia.
Over 6.6 million pounds of shark fins are exported annually from the European Union to Asian markets, primarily centered in Hong Kong. However, Europeans are increasingly opposed to this slaughter.
A Call to Action
In 2022, more than 1 million citizens supported the European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) Stop Finning – Stop the Trade, aiming to change EU laws to ban the import, export, and transit of shark fins.
In response to the ECI, the European Commission has gathered opinions and evaluations and will consider adopting legislative measures to end the shark fin trade.
World Shark Day Reflection
On July 14th, World Shark Day, it is imperative to reflect on this brutal activity, which, along with accidental catches and marine pollution, threatens the survival of these crucial animals.
Source: UE
