Sales of shark fins are contributing to the potential extinction of several shark species, according to new research from scientists at Florida International University. The study, published in Science Advances in March 2023, highlights alarming trends in the illegal shark fin trade, particularly in Hong Kong, a central hub for these products.
The research reveals that fins from four out of five shark species protected under the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES) remain readily available in Hong Kong’s markets. This includes three species of hammerhead sharks—scalloped, smooth, and great—as well as the porbeagle and the oceanic whitetip. The findings suggest that despite international regulations established in 2014 aimed at curbing such practices, enforcement is severely lacking.
Dr. Demian Chapman, project leader and director of the Shark and Rays Conservation Research Program at Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium in Sarasota, Florida, expressed concern over the current state of shark populations. “Many sharks may be headed toward extinction, with international trade of shark products driving fishing pressure beyond a species’ ability to reproduce,” he noted. The lucrative market for shark fin soup, considered a luxury dish in many cultures, exacerbates the problem, leading to increased fishing and the brutal practice of shark finning.
Despite regulations requiring all trade to be documented and certified as non-threatening to species’ survival, data indicates that 81 percent of shark-fin-exporting countries have failed to report any trade in these protected species. Dr. Diego Cardeñosa, lead author of the study, emphasized the disconnect between regulatory frameworks and actual practices. “There’s a huge gap between what’s on paper and what’s happening in the real world,” he stated. DNA evidence confirms that these protected species are still entering the global market at alarming rates.
Several countries have been flagged as likely participants in the illegal shark fin trade, including Spain, Taiwan, the United Arab Emirates, China, the Philippines, Ghana, and Brazil. Each year, millions of pounds of shark meat and fins are traded internationally, with Hong Kong leading in demand. The fins, often purchased for soup or traditional medicine, fuel shark hunting and finning, where fins are cut from live sharks and the animals discarded.
The urgency of the situation is underscored by Dr. Cardeñosa’s warning: “We are reaching a major tipping point. If fishing and trade of these species is not meaningfully reduced, then these sharks will disappear.” The potential loss of these top predators could result in unpredictable changes to ocean ecosystems, ultimately affecting human populations.
Yet, researchers remain hopeful. “Shedding light on this problem is a major step toward solving it,” concluded Dr. Chapman. By increasing awareness and addressing illegal practices, there is a chance to protect these ancient creatures that have roamed the Earth’s oceans for around 450 million years.
The findings present a critical call to action for governments, conservationists, and consumers alike to take steps toward sustainable practices and protect the future of shark populations worldwide.
