A Threat to Marine Ecosystem

Shark Finning is the act of removing fins of the shark and repudiating the rest of the shark back to the ocean. The sharks unable to swim, sink to the ocean floor and die of suffocation or are eaten away by other predators. The reason behind suffocation is the inability to move to filter water through their gills causing lack of oxygen.  

Shark Finning has increased since 1997 with great demand of the shark fin soup, which is regarded as a medicine to promote general well being in China and other Asian countries. It is also claimed to have anti-cancer properties. A single bowl of the shark fin soup costs around a 100 US dollars. The shark fins alone are sold for about 450 US dollars per pound. Today, Thailand is the world’s largest exporter of shark fins. Other world’s major shark fin exporting countries are Spain, Indonesia, Taiwan and Japan.

On the other hand, clinical studies on Cancer patients, including a 1998 study by the Independent Cancer Treatment Research Foundation in Illinois, haven’t shown shark fins or the herbal powder made up of shark fin to have any anti-cancer properties. Cancer Research organization states,“ We don’t recommend alternative therapies such as shark cartilage, as there is no scientific or medical evidence to back up the claims made for these ‘treatments’.” This practice has also been opposed by many environmentalists and wildlife experts.

The most shocking fact is that every year 73 million to 100 million sharks are killed just for their fins. Sharks are captured in big numbers using massive fishing nets and while they continue to struggle to breathe, their fins are cut off using sharp knives. The left over is either thrown back to the ocean or cut into pieces to be sold in the markets for consumption. Many species of sharks are currently in danger due to shark finning including the Scalloped Hammerhead (Sphyrna lewini) and the Smooth Hammerhead (Sphyrna zygaena).

Also the reason why the global shark population is falling at a tremendous rate is because sharks grow at a slower rate and require a long time to reach its sexual maturity. The Male Great White sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) takes 26 years to reach sexual maturity and the females take 33 years to reach sexual maturity. After the shark pups are born they leave their mother and survive on their own. Even though they are born with natural survival knowledge and a full set of teeth, they fall prey to larger predators and humans for their selfish needs.

Sharks are apex predator and play an important role in the marine ecosystem. Sharks help to maintain the species below them in the food chain and serve as an indicator for the ocean health. They also help to eliminate the weak and the sick as well as keeping the balance with competitors helping to ensure species diversity.

Today, some shark populations have decreased by 60-70% due to shark finning and wrong fishing techniques. According to the IUCN Red List (International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List) 39 species of Elasmobranches which includes sharks, rays, skates and sawfishes are threatened species. 

The concerned authorities of respected countries should impose a strict ban on shark fin trade and stern actions should be taken against those who disobey. People should also realize that as much as they have the right to live freely, these animals also have the right to live happily. These rights are not given to them by any authority or individual but by the nature itself as they are given to us. We have the resources and power to create a better future for these beautiful creatures and it is our responsibility too.