Shark Fin Trade and Its Devastating Effects on Shark Populations (00015681)

Description: Shark Fin Trade - A Threatening Practice of Finning Shark Fin Trade, also known as Finning, refers to the cruel act of cutting the fins off the bodies of live sharks. Often, sharks are caught, their fins are removed, and the animals are thrown back into the sea, where they suffer a painful death. Even smaller fishing boats contribute to this exploitation by only harvesting the valuable fins and discarding the rest of the shark overboard. The high demand for shark fins in East Asia for the preparation of shark fin soup has led to a drastic decline in shark populations worldwide. The trade in shark fins is highly lucrative, but it has devastating effects on the ocean ecosystem. Some shark species are already critically endangered, with their populations declining by up to 90 percent, posing a serious threat to the environment.

Location: Western Cape, , South Africa

Date of Capture: 13.08.2002