How does shark finning affect sharks?

Shark finning is a cruel and destructive practice that poses a severe threat to shark populations worldwide. It involves the removal of a shark's lateral, dorsal, and tail fins, often while the animal is still alive. Because sharks require these fins to swim, those discarded back into the ocean are unable to move, causing them to sink to the bottom where they die slowly or are consumed by predators.1234

This practice is driven primarily by the demand for shark fin soup, a dish historically symbolic of status. The scale of this industry is devastating; it is estimated that tens of millions of sharks are killed annually through finning. Because many shark species are apex predators that reproduce slowly and mature late, these massive losses have led to significant population declines and have placed many species at risk of extinction.124

Beyond the direct cruelty, the removal of sharks from marine ecosystems can trigger a "domino effect," potentially leading to ecological collapse as prey populations surge and disrupt the balance of their habitats.24