The illegal trade of shark fins poses a significant threat to several shark species, according to new research from scientists at Florida International University. A peer-reviewed study published in Science Advances reveals that fins from four out of five shark species, which are regulated under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), remain readily available in markets across Hong Kong. This situation raises alarming concerns about the potential extinction of these ancient marine creatures.
The study highlights that among the threatened species are three large hammerhead varieties—the scalloped, smooth, and great hammerhead—along with the porbeagle and the oceanic whitetip shark. Dr. Demian Chapman, project leader and director of the Shark and Rays Conservation Research Program at Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium in Sarasota, Florida, stated, “Many sharks may be headed toward extinction due to the international trade of shark products, such as dried fins used in the luxury dish shark fin soup.” He emphasized that this demand often drives fishing pressure beyond a species’ capacity to reproduce.
Despite regulations established in March 2014 requiring that all trade be documented and certified as not threatening to species’ survival, the study found that an overwhelming 81 percent of shark-fin-exporting countries have failed to report any trade involving these listed species. Dr. Diego Cardeñosa, the lead author of the study, pointed out, “There’s a huge gap between what’s on paper and what’s happening in the real world.” Genetic analysis presented in the study indicates that these protected species continue to enter the global market at alarming rates.
The researchers identified several countries likely involved in the illegal shark fin trade, including Spain, Taiwan, the United Arab Emirates, China, the Philippines, Ghana, and Brazil. Millions of pounds of shark meat and fins are traded internationally each year, with Hong Kong being the primary hub for shark fins, which are often purchased for soup, traditional medicine, or as trophies.
The brutal practice of shark finning, where fins are severed from live sharks and the animals are discarded back into the ocean, exacerbates the threat to shark populations. “We are reaching a major tipping point,” Dr. Cardeñosa warned. “If the fishing and trade of these species is not meaningfully reduced, then these sharks will disappear.” This trend could result in the loss of top predators in the oceans, leading to unpredictable ecosystem changes with potentially harmful repercussions for marine life and human communities alike.
Despite these grave concerns, researchers remain optimistic about the future of shark populations. Dr. Chapman concluded, “Shedding light on this problem is a major step toward solving it.” The call for action to combat illegal shark fin trading is urgent, as the survival of these vital species hangs in the balance.
