SHARK FINNING

THE BIG PICTURE OF THE BIG PROBLEM

Shark Finning

Shark finning is a brutal practice. A shark is caught, pulled onboard a boat, its fins are cut off, and the still-living shark is tossed back overboard to drown or bleed to death. The wasteful, inhumane practice is done to satisfy a demand for shark fins, which can fetch as much as $300 per pound. The meat, on the other hand, is far less valuable, so fishermen toss it overboard to save space for more fins.

Not only is it an intensely wasteful and harmful practice, it's also essentially pointless since shark fins have no nutritional or medicinal value. And they're practically flavorless. Yet, finning continues, to the point that these animals so vital to the ecological balance of our oceans are about to be wiped out completely.

What's So Great About Shark Fins?

Fins are often removed
when sharks are alive.

Really, nothing. They have no nutritional value and are practically tasteless. When it comes to shark fin soup, all the flavor comes from the broth. The fins are added just for texture and novelty. The shark fin is merely a status symbol and a mark of tradition.

Still, shark fin soup is part of Asian culture, particularly in China, as a meal eaten during celebrations among the wealthy. But with China's economy rapidly growing, more people can afford to buy this symbol of a luxurious life and the demand for shark fins is increasing. Unfortunately, it is increasing in conjunction with a serious decrease in shark populations globally.

WATCHVIDEO: Explore the Future of Sharks

A SERIOUS EFFORT TO SAVE SOME OF THE EARTH’S OLDEST, LARGEST, AND MOST SUCCESSFUL PREDATORS IS FINALLY UNDER WAY. BUT IT NEEDS TO MOVE FASTER.

SAVE SHARKS FROM FINNING....