The Cruelty of Shark Finning: Environmental Destruction and Threat to Global Shark Populations
Shark finning is the cruel practice of removing shark fins while leaving the live sharks to die in the ocean. This method, often conducted using longlines or trawling nets, results in significant environmental destruction and a drastic decline in shark populations globally. The marine ecosystems suffer as sharks, being apex predators, play a critical role in maintaining the balance of marine life. In East Asia, particularly in Hong Kong, shark fin soup is considered a delicacy and a status symbol, driving the high demand for shark fins. The profitability of finning surpasses even that of the narcotics trade, with single longliners in regions like Costa Rica generating approximately one million dollars in revenue per voyage. Studies from institutions such as Dalhousie University in Halifax, Canada, reveal that many large shark species in the North Atlantic have declined by up to 97 percent since the 1970s, with the Bull Shark in the Northwestern Atlantic experiencing a decline of up to 99 percent. The European Union remains one of the key suppliers of shark fins to Asia, exacerbating the issue. The unsustainable shark fin trade not only threatens the ecological balance but also impacts local communities dependent on shark fishing for their livelihoods. Efforts to regulate and combat finning are crucial to preserve both marine biodiversity and the health of oceanic environments. For more information, visit Neurotoxins In Shark Fins: A Human Health Concern and Blutwasser by Dr. Michael Zanger.
