Shark Finning

High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Shark finning refers to the removal and retention of shark fins and the discard at sea of the carcass. The shark is most often still alive when it is tossed back into the water. The finless sharks are unable to swim and sink to the ocean bottom and die. Shark finning takes place at sea so the fishers only have to transport the fins. Shark meat is considered low value and therefore not worth the cost of transporting the bulky shark bodies to market. Longlines, used in shark finning operations, are the most significant cause of losses in shark populations worldwide. Shark finning is widespread, and largely unmanaged and unmonitored. Shark finning has increased over the past decade due to the increasing demand for shark fins such as for Chinese shark fin soup and traditional cures, improved fishing technology, and improved market economics.