The Disappearing Sharks

An estimated 100 million sharks, regardless of age, size, or species, each year are killed for shark fin soup or traditional cures.Over the past decade shark finning as increased due to the demand for shark fin soup. Because shark meat is considered to be of low value, only the fins are transported. Up to 99% of the shark is wasted.

Each country with coastlines has its own fishing regulations. Shark finning is currently banned in 16 counteries, by because the oceans do not belong to one country, it has become harder to stop poachers. A few countries demand that the ships and vessels arrive in port with fins still attatched to the carcass. Other countries require that the fins arrive in 5% weight ratio of the shark carcasses on board.

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization's Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries deems shark finning illegal.

Shark finning violates and is contrary to United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization's International Plan for the Conservation and Management of Sharks.

The shark population has recently decreased by 90%.

Whale Sharks, Basking Sharks, and the Great White Sharks are ENDANGERED.