Up to 73 million sharks are killed each year for their fins. Additional millions are killed by direct hunting, as by catch and entanglement in lines just like other marine species. Their fins are obtained for use in shark fin soup, a common delicacy in many Asian nations.
In order to obtain the fins of the sharks, the sharks are frequently sliced while alive. In addition, the sharks are thrown back into the ocean to die as they have no way to survive without their fin. One-third of all sharks species are in danger of extinction according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Shark finning has become a main reason for the many shark species’ demise.
In order to help end shark finning worldwide, former shark-attack victims have lobbied the United States government. The group of former victims, along with Pew Environment Group, have lobbied to strengthen current shark finning bans in United States’ waters. The group wishes to see the law enforced more often and with greater penalty. The members would also like to see the various loopholes currently in the law resolved.
Shark finning is banned in a majority of international waters, however it is not well enforced. The group wishes to see the United States bring more worldwide attention to the issue and urge other nations to have stricter enforcement as well. The group would also like to see it become illegal for any vessel in U.S. waters to have shark fins onboard.
The former shark-attack victims feel as though they may have a better opportunity than most to bring attention to shark deaths. All of them agreed that the sharks need to be protected and that they felt no ill-will towards their former attackers. Stated Chuck Anderson, who lost his right arm to a bull shark years ago, “We bring pretty instant credibility [to the cause].”
If shark species become extinct or continue to decline, entire marine ecosystems are in danger. Some areas have already seen the impact of dwindling shark populations. Areas of the Caribbean have found that without sharks, some carnivorous fish have thrived. This has caused fish important for coral health to dwindle and the coral has suffered. Areas once thriving in coral saw an increase in algae instead.
