Shark Fin Soup Consumption is Occurring at Unsustainable Levels

Tens of millions of sharks are killed for their fins every year. Most shark fisheries cut the fins off the shark and then throw the shark overboard to die. The demand for shark fins is increasing the pressure on shark populations and leading to misidentification of species.

Shark fin soup, a symbol of privilege and social rank, is served to celebrate important events, including weddings and business meetings. A bowl of shark fin soup can cost US$100--which makes the fins by far the most valuable part of the shark.

The rising consumption of shark fin soup is now driving many shark species towards extinction.

BREAKING NEWS: The Senate introduced a bill to end shark finning in U.S. on Earth Day. READ THE PRESS RELEASE
 
The House of Representatives passed similar legislation (H.R. 81) in March 2009.
READ THE PRESS RELEASE

MORE GOOD NEWS: Federal government announces rules to require sharks to be landed with their fins naturally attached in the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico! READ THE PRESS RELEASE