Hong Kong is the largest shark fin importer in the world, and responsible for about half of the global trade. The fins sold in Sai Ying Pun come from more than 100 countries and 76 different species of sharks and rays, a third of which are endangered.
Where is shark fin trade most popular?
Most shark fins go to Hong Kong for processing, and re-exported to China and other countries like the US. Fins traded as a dried product do not have any documentation of where that shark was captured, the species or if it was legally harvested or finned on the high seas.
Which country hunts the most sharks?
India ranks second only to Indonesia in terms of the number of sharks caught each year, so this ban is a major victory for ever-dwindling shark populations. Approximately 100 million sharks are killed each year in fishing operations, primarily to support the demand for shark fin soup.
What countries is shark finning?
The top 10 shark fishing nations, in order, are: Indonesia, India, Spain, Taiwan, Argentina, Mexico, Pakistan, the United States, Japan, and Malaysia, with Thailand, France, Brazil, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, Portugal, Nigeria, Iran, the United Kingdom, and South Korea following, comprising the top 20 fishing nations.
Where is the demand for shark fins and why is there a demand?
The Demand for Shark Fin Soup
Shark fin soup is primarily consumed in China and Vietnam, where it has historically been limited to the wealthy for special events such as banquets and weddings.
How many countries have banned shark finning?
More generally, more than 50 countries worldwide have some kind of shark finning ban in effect. Some, like New Zealand, Gambia, Panama and Honduras, ban shark finning altogether in their waters.
Is shark fin illegal in Europe?
Shark finning – slicing off a shark’s fins and discarding the body at sea – has been banned in the European Union (EU) since 2003.
What country kills the most sharks for their fins?
It is the gruesome practice of cutting off a live shark’s fins and throwing the rest of the animal back into the sea, where it dies a slow and painful death. The fins are used in China and Hong Kong, and by Chinese communities elsewhere in the world, as the key ingredient in shark-fin soup.
Is shark finning illegal in Japan?
Japan and the United States have passed domestic laws that implement these treaty obligations by restricting the shark fin trade. The State of Hawaii goes beyond these treaty obligations and completely bans the shark fin trade.
How many sharks are killed a day by humans?
Nearly 100,000,000. That’s one hundred million. We need to protect these apex predators before they disappear and their absence wreaks havoc on our ecosystems. It averages out to two to three sharks killed every second, over 11,000 every hour, over a hundred million every year.
Is shark finning legal in China?
China’s government has, according to the Chinese news agency Xinhua, made a list of 420 endangered species that is no longer legal to consume, import or sell. And among the animals on the list are sharks. The punishment for breaking this new ban will be up to 10 years in prison.
Is shark fin illegal in Korea?
South Korea’s two largest airlines, Korean Air and Asiana, said Thursday they had both decided to ban shark fin from their cargo flights as part of a growing global campaign against the Asian delicacy. Korean Air, which flies to 45 countries, said in a statement that it had stopped shipping shark fin from June 10.
Who eats the most shark fin soup?
China consumes more shark fin than any other country in the world, according to the campaign group WildAid. Shark fin soup is also served at business lunches and dinners to celebrate a new deal. One Hong Kong banker told the New York Times, “This is a very basic dish for business dinners in Hong Kong.
What is the greatest source of demand for shark products?
However, the world’s largest consumers of shark meat are found in South America and Europe, with the most important importers being Italy, Brazil, Uruguay, Spain and the South Korea – the latter being the major importer of skate and ray meat.
How much is a shark fin worth?
In 2022, the approximate price range for US Shark Fins is between US$ 2.61 and US$ 6.31 per kilogram or between US$ 1.18 and US$ 2.86 per pound(lb).
How many sharks are killed a year for shark fin soup?
73 to 100 million sharks
The world’s sharks are quickly vanishing and it’s primarily driven by the demand for shark fins as an ingredient of a status symbol soup devoured throughout Asia at weddings and banquets. Approximately 73 to 100 million sharks are killed annually worldwide just for their fins.
Is shark fin legal in Canada?
Importing and exporting shark fins is now banned in Canada. The practice of shark finning has been illegal in Canadian waters for years; however, Canada was the largest importer of shark fins outside of Asia.
What does shark fin taste like?
Shark fins are actually tasteless. The texture is similar to rubber band. I’m not sure why it’s appealing to privileged people but it’s not to me.
Who is trying to stop shark finning?
Since 2006 Shark Stewards has been a leader in the United States reducing the shark fin trade by applying trade data to legislation banning the sale and trade of shark fin.
Where do people fish for shark fins?
“The eastern Pacific [Mexico] is clearly a major source of CITES-listed shark species into Asian shark fin markets.” Auctioneers, fish market workers, buyers, and others wait for the auction at Tanjung Luar to begin.
What happens when shark fins are cut off?
The finned sharks are often thrown back into the ocean alive, where they do not die peacefully: unable to swim properly and bleeding profusely, they suffocate or die of blood loss.