GITNUXREPORT 2025

Shark Finning Statistics

Shark finning kills millions annually, threatening species, ecosystems, and fisheries sustainability.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

Less than 25% of shark species are currently protected from finning

Statistic 2

An estimated 73 million sharks are killed annually due to finning activities

Statistic 3

In some shark fisheries, finning can account for up to 63% of the shark mortality

Statistic 4

Over 50% of the shark species caught for fins are species that are vulnerable or endangered

Statistic 5

Shark finning is considered one of the most destructive fishing practices for marine ecosystems

Statistic 6

The global decline of sharks due to finning has impacted ocean health, as sharks play a critical role as apex predators

Statistic 7

Shark finning is linked to the depletion of certain fish stocks, creating imbalances in marine ecosystems

Statistic 8

The practice of finning often involves catching sharks solely for their fins, with the rest of the shark discarded, which is wasteful and unethical

Statistic 9

Shark finning contributes to the decline of shark populations that are vital for maintaining balanced oceanic ecosystems, affecting fishery health overall

Statistic 10

Shark finning is estimated to be responsible for the death of more than 100 million sharks annually, contributing significantly to marine biodiversity loss

Statistic 11

On average, shark finning kills 2 sharks per second worldwide, accounting for over 70 million sharks annually

Statistic 12

The practice of finning results in the waste of entire sharks, as only fins are sold, leading to questions about sustainability and ethics

Statistic 13

Shark finning is linked to the ecological imbalance of marine environments, affecting species diversity and fishery yields

Statistic 14

Some regions have successfully implemented finning bans, which led to a recovery in certain shark populations, demonstrating the potential effectiveness of regulation

Statistic 15

The decline of shark populations due to finning poses risks to the stability of marine ecosystems and global fish stocks, which can impact food security

Statistic 16

International organizations advocate for complete bans on shark finning as essential to conserving shark biodiversity

Statistic 17

The practice contributes to the loss of top predators in marine ecosystems, which can cause cascading effects down the food chain, impacting entire oceanic health

Statistic 18

Shark finning practices threaten the ecological role of sharks as apex predators, essential for maintaining healthy oceanic food webs

Statistic 19

Shark finning accounts for approximately 10% of all shark deaths worldwide

Statistic 20

The practice of shark finning is often linked to illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing practices

Statistic 21

Finning leads to a significant discard rate, with up to 73% of sharks caught being finned and discarded at sea

Statistic 22

Shark fins are often harvested without the rest of the shark, leading to waste and unsustainable practices

Statistic 23

The majority of shark fins in trade are sourced from illegal or unregulated fishing operations, according to WWF reports

Statistic 24

Several countries have recently strengthened their legal frameworks to combat illegal shark finning, including the USA, Australia, and the EU

Statistic 25

Some countries, including the United States, require sharks to be landed with fins attached, but enforcement varies widely, illustrating ongoing challenges

Statistic 26

Several conservation groups estimate that at least 50% of the sharks caught are finned and discarded, often alive but severely injured

Statistic 27

The international community has called for a ban or strict regulation of shark finning to prevent further declines, with over 80 countries implementing some form of regulation

Statistic 28

The process of finning often occurs at sea, making it difficult to monitor and regulate, contributing to continued illegal activity

Statistic 29

Some countries have implemented shark finning bans that require sharks to be landed with fins naturally attached, reducing waste and illegal trade

Statistic 30

Several NGOs have launched campaigns to raise awareness and ban shark finning globally, with measurable impacts in policy changes

Statistic 31

The global effort to regulate shark finning includes international treaties, national legislation, and conservation campaigns, but enforcement remains inconsistent

Statistic 32

Over 100 million sharks are killed each year globally, most of which are due to finning

Statistic 33

Shark fins can sell for up to $400 per kilogram in Asian markets

Statistic 34

The global shark fin trade is valued at over $500 million annually

Statistic 35

China is the largest importer of shark fins, accounting for approximately 70% of the global trade

Statistic 36

Hong Kong acts as a major transshipment hub, handling around 50% of the world’s shark fin exports

Statistic 37

Approximately 70 million sharks are killed every year for their fins, many through finning practices

Statistic 38

Finning is illegal in over 30 countries, but illegal activities still persist due to weak enforcement

Statistic 39

In Southeast Asia, shark finning is driven by local demand and lack of regulation enforcement, contributing to high shark mortality

Statistic 40

The use of shark fins in traditional Chinese medicine is a driver of demand, despite scientific evidence of health benefits being lacking

Statistic 41

The average weight of a shark fin used in cuisine ranges from 1 to 3 kilograms, influencing the value and demand

Statistic 42

The demand for shark fin soup, a luxury delicacy, sustains the finning industry, despite global campaigns against it

Statistic 43

There are estimated to be over 400 species of sharks involved in the fin trade worldwide, underlining the scope of the issue

Statistic 44

The use of shark fins in the global market predominantly targets Asian markets, with China, Hong Kong, and Singapore as major players

Statistic 45

Shark fins can be stored and shipped for long periods, facilitating international trade despite bans and restrictions

Statistic 46

The practice of shark finning is often driven by the lucrative nature of fins, which can be 10-15 times more valuable than the shark meat

Statistic 47

The shark fin trade is heavily linked to organized illegal fishing networks, which operate across borders, making enforcement challenging

Statistic 48

The high value of shark fins has led to increased illegal catching of sharks even in protected areas, threatening local shark populations

Statistic 49

Shark fins are often used in luxury markets, with a single fin sometimes fetching more than the meat of the shark, highlighting the economic drivers

Statistic 50

The illegal shark fin trade is estimated to be worth between $600 million and $1 billion annually, making it a lucrative activity for traffickers

Statistic 51

Shark finning is banned in many fisheries, but illegal activity persists, often driven by high demand and insufficient enforcement

Statistic 52

The demand for shark fins is driven largely by the traditional Chinese cuisine, which uses shark fin soup as a status symbol, leading to continued finning activities

Statistic 53

The European Union has banned shark finning, requiring sharks to be landed with fins naturally attached

Statistic 54

Approximately 45 species of sharks are listed as critically endangered, mainly due to finning

Statistic 55

The demand for shark fins has led to a 60% decrease in shark populations in some regions

Statistic 56

Shark finning is responsible for the decline of many shark species, with some populations decreasing by more than 90%

Statistic 57

Some shark species, such as the scalloped hammerhead, have seen declines of up to 99% in some regions due to finning

Statistic 58

Shark populations in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans have declined by over 80% in the last 50 years due to finning

Statistic 59

Shark finning can cause a 40% reduction in local shark populations in affected areas, disrupting local marine ecosystems

Statistic 60

Shark finning significantly impacts the reproductive capacity of shark populations, as it primarily targets mature individuals

Statistic 61

The majority of shark fins are harvested from species that have slow growth rates and low reproductive output, making their populations particularly vulnerable

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Sources

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Key Highlights

An estimated 73 million sharks are killed annually due to finning activities
Over 100 million sharks are killed each year globally, most of which are due to finning
Shark finning accounts for approximately 10% of all shark deaths worldwide
Less than 25% of shark species are currently protected from finning
Approximately 45 species of sharks are listed as critically endangered, mainly due to finning
The demand for shark fins has led to a 60% decrease in shark populations in some regions
Shark fins can sell for up to $400 per kilogram in Asian markets
The global shark fin trade is valued at over $500 million annually
China is the largest importer of shark fins, accounting for approximately 70% of the global trade
Hong Kong acts as a major transshipment hub, handling around 50% of the world’s shark fin exports
Approximately 70 million sharks are killed every year for their fins, many through finning practices
In some shark fisheries, finning can account for up to 63% of the shark mortality
Shark finning is responsible for the decline of many shark species, with some populations decreasing by more than 90%

Every second, over two sharks are brutally finned and discarded at sea, fueling a $500 million global trade that threatens the very balance of our oceans.

Conservation Status

Less than 25% of shark species are currently protected from finning

Conservation Status Interpretation

With less than a quarter of shark species shielded from finning, it’s clear that humanity is patronizing a perilous luxury at the expense of oceanic balance.

Environmental Impact and Conservation Status

An estimated 73 million sharks are killed annually due to finning activities
In some shark fisheries, finning can account for up to 63% of the shark mortality
Over 50% of the shark species caught for fins are species that are vulnerable or endangered
Shark finning is considered one of the most destructive fishing practices for marine ecosystems
The global decline of sharks due to finning has impacted ocean health, as sharks play a critical role as apex predators
Shark finning is linked to the depletion of certain fish stocks, creating imbalances in marine ecosystems
The practice of finning often involves catching sharks solely for their fins, with the rest of the shark discarded, which is wasteful and unethical
Shark finning contributes to the decline of shark populations that are vital for maintaining balanced oceanic ecosystems, affecting fishery health overall
Shark finning is estimated to be responsible for the death of more than 100 million sharks annually, contributing significantly to marine biodiversity loss
On average, shark finning kills 2 sharks per second worldwide, accounting for over 70 million sharks annually
The practice of finning results in the waste of entire sharks, as only fins are sold, leading to questions about sustainability and ethics
Shark finning is linked to the ecological imbalance of marine environments, affecting species diversity and fishery yields
Some regions have successfully implemented finning bans, which led to a recovery in certain shark populations, demonstrating the potential effectiveness of regulation
The decline of shark populations due to finning poses risks to the stability of marine ecosystems and global fish stocks, which can impact food security
International organizations advocate for complete bans on shark finning as essential to conserving shark biodiversity
The practice contributes to the loss of top predators in marine ecosystems, which can cause cascading effects down the food chain, impacting entire oceanic health
Shark finning practices threaten the ecological role of sharks as apex predators, essential for maintaining healthy oceanic food webs

Environmental Impact and Conservation Status Interpretation

With an estimated 73 million sharks slaughtered annually—primarily for their fins—it's clear that finning, a practice that kills over 70 million sharks each year and endangers species vital to ocean health, is not only an ethical tragedy but a destructive force undermining marine ecosystems and global biodiversity; yet, with regulation and bans, there's hope to turn the tide before these apex predators vanish entirely.

Fishing Practices and Regulatory Measures

Shark finning accounts for approximately 10% of all shark deaths worldwide
The practice of shark finning is often linked to illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing practices
Finning leads to a significant discard rate, with up to 73% of sharks caught being finned and discarded at sea
Shark fins are often harvested without the rest of the shark, leading to waste and unsustainable practices
The majority of shark fins in trade are sourced from illegal or unregulated fishing operations, according to WWF reports
Several countries have recently strengthened their legal frameworks to combat illegal shark finning, including the USA, Australia, and the EU
Some countries, including the United States, require sharks to be landed with fins attached, but enforcement varies widely, illustrating ongoing challenges
Several conservation groups estimate that at least 50% of the sharks caught are finned and discarded, often alive but severely injured
The international community has called for a ban or strict regulation of shark finning to prevent further declines, with over 80 countries implementing some form of regulation
The process of finning often occurs at sea, making it difficult to monitor and regulate, contributing to continued illegal activity
Some countries have implemented shark finning bans that require sharks to be landed with fins naturally attached, reducing waste and illegal trade

Fishing Practices and Regulatory Measures Interpretation

Despite international efforts and legal reforms, the grim reality remains that shark finning—responsible for about 10% of shark mortalities worldwide—continues to thrive through illegal, unregulated, and poorly enforced practices that waste over half of the sharks caught, highlighting the urgent need for global vigilance and stricter compliance to save these vital ocean predators.

Global Efforts and Policy Initiatives

Several NGOs have launched campaigns to raise awareness and ban shark finning globally, with measurable impacts in policy changes
The global effort to regulate shark finning includes international treaties, national legislation, and conservation campaigns, but enforcement remains inconsistent

Global Efforts and Policy Initiatives Interpretation

Despite a surge in awareness and policy efforts, inconsistent enforcement underscores the harsh reality that sharks still face a fin-tastrophe—proof that words alone can't prevent the finned fate of these vital ocean predators.

Market Demand and Trade Dynamics

Over 100 million sharks are killed each year globally, most of which are due to finning
Shark fins can sell for up to $400 per kilogram in Asian markets
The global shark fin trade is valued at over $500 million annually
China is the largest importer of shark fins, accounting for approximately 70% of the global trade
Hong Kong acts as a major transshipment hub, handling around 50% of the world’s shark fin exports
Approximately 70 million sharks are killed every year for their fins, many through finning practices
Finning is illegal in over 30 countries, but illegal activities still persist due to weak enforcement
In Southeast Asia, shark finning is driven by local demand and lack of regulation enforcement, contributing to high shark mortality
The use of shark fins in traditional Chinese medicine is a driver of demand, despite scientific evidence of health benefits being lacking
The average weight of a shark fin used in cuisine ranges from 1 to 3 kilograms, influencing the value and demand
The demand for shark fin soup, a luxury delicacy, sustains the finning industry, despite global campaigns against it
There are estimated to be over 400 species of sharks involved in the fin trade worldwide, underlining the scope of the issue
The use of shark fins in the global market predominantly targets Asian markets, with China, Hong Kong, and Singapore as major players
Shark fins can be stored and shipped for long periods, facilitating international trade despite bans and restrictions
The practice of shark finning is often driven by the lucrative nature of fins, which can be 10-15 times more valuable than the shark meat
The shark fin trade is heavily linked to organized illegal fishing networks, which operate across borders, making enforcement challenging
The high value of shark fins has led to increased illegal catching of sharks even in protected areas, threatening local shark populations
Shark fins are often used in luxury markets, with a single fin sometimes fetching more than the meat of the shark, highlighting the economic drivers
The illegal shark fin trade is estimated to be worth between $600 million and $1 billion annually, making it a lucrative activity for traffickers
Shark finning is banned in many fisheries, but illegal activity persists, often driven by high demand and insufficient enforcement
The demand for shark fins is driven largely by the traditional Chinese cuisine, which uses shark fin soup as a status symbol, leading to continued finning activities

Market Demand and Trade Dynamics Interpretation

Despite global bans and mounting conservation efforts, the lucrative demand for shark fins—driven by tradition, luxury markets, and organized illegal networks—continues to fuel the annual slaughter of over 70 million sharks, underscoring a tragic disconnect between environmental ideals and hard economic realities.

Regulatory Measures

The European Union has banned shark finning, requiring sharks to be landed with fins naturally attached

Regulatory Measures Interpretation

The European Union’s ban on shark finning, mandating sharks be landed with fins naturally attached, highlights a crucial step towards ending a gruesome practice and preserving vital marine ecosystems—proof that policy can swim upstream against destructive habits.

Species Population and Preservation

Approximately 45 species of sharks are listed as critically endangered, mainly due to finning
The demand for shark fins has led to a 60% decrease in shark populations in some regions
Shark finning is responsible for the decline of many shark species, with some populations decreasing by more than 90%
Some shark species, such as the scalloped hammerhead, have seen declines of up to 99% in some regions due to finning
Shark populations in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans have declined by over 80% in the last 50 years due to finning
Shark finning can cause a 40% reduction in local shark populations in affected areas, disrupting local marine ecosystems
Shark finning significantly impacts the reproductive capacity of shark populations, as it primarily targets mature individuals
The majority of shark fins are harvested from species that have slow growth rates and low reproductive output, making their populations particularly vulnerable

Species Population and Preservation Interpretation

The relentless pursuit of shark fins has decimated populations—sometimes by over 90%—leaving critical species teetering on the brink, reminding us that appetites driven by demand can rapidly turn ecological balance into a finned disaster.