An Ocean of Blood: Why Do China and Japan Continue to Support Shark Finning?

Despite the support of the majority of member countries, the two Asian states have prevented the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) from adopting more severe measures against the practice which threatens the survival of sharks and marine balance

The latest blow to shark protection came late last week at the annual meeting of ICCAT, the intergovernmental body of 53 countries involved in the conservation of tuna and related species in the Atlantic Ocean. It concluded on November 18 in Limassol, Cyprus.

A proposal to strengthen the ban on shark finning, supported by 42 out of the 53 member countries, was blocked in opposition from China and Japan, the world’s leading consumers and exporters of shark fins.

The effort, driven by the United States, Belize, and Brazil, would have required sharks to be landed with their fins naturally attached. This is a key component in the fight against finning at sea and for collecting scientific data.

Although the scientific community’s opinions were favorable and there was broad international support, China and Japan decided to prioritize business interests over the protection of these magnificent creatures, both being economic giants and major consumers of shark fins, and put at risk the survival of some of the most fragile species in the Atlantic.

“We are deeply disappointed,” said Sonja Fordham, president of Shark Advocates International. “A strong, enforceable ban on shark finning has been blocked again, despite scientific evidence and broad support from governments and environmentalists.” This failure constitutes a serious setback for international shark conservation efforts and raises grave concerns about ICCAT’s ability to ensure the long-term conservation of these species.

What is shark finning, and why is this practice so abhorrent?

Shark finning is an extremely cruel practice whereby the sharks are caught, their fins brutally removed, and after that, they are cast back into the sea to die a miserable, painfully slow death. Sharks, unable to swim without their fins, sink and ultimately die by suffocation or bleeding. The fins are considered a delicacy in most Asian countries and create a lucrative, ruthless trade. Shark fin soup, with a serving as high as $100, has become a status symbol.

An estimated 73 million to 100 million sharks are killed annually, peaking at 101 million in 2019.

More than 37% of shark species are threatened with extinction, including hammerhead sharks, fox sharks, whale sharks, and the shortfin mako shark, already considered “endangered” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Sharks are apex predators that play a critical role in maintaining the balance in marine ecosystems. They control prey populations, maintain diversity, and contribute to the health of coral reefs. When they disappear, it triggers a domino effect through the food chain and into ocean health. The absence of sharks would leave the entire marine ecosystem much more fragile and bound for collapse.