Worldwide, over one quarter of all shark species are threatened or endangered by unsustainable fishing methods. Each year, over 70 million sharks are killed for their fins, cartilage, meat and liver oil. When finning, fishermen cut off its Dorsal fin and throw the living shark back into the sea to face a cruel and wasteful death. Since sharks mature slowly, have slow reproductive rates and produce few offspring, they are highly vulnerable to extinction. Much of the shark’s demise is due to the demand for shark fin soup, an Asian delicacy served in restaurants worldwide. Bycatch, the taking of a non-targeted fish by commercial fisheries, also accounts for many shark deaths - and their continuing decline. Although, shark finning is illegal in U.S. waters, fins can still be imported from countries where finning is allowed and sold here. This policy not only increases the demand for the soup, but fuels an illegal fin market here because it’s difficult to tell the difference between an imported fin and an illegal one taken in U.S. waters.

In 2022, S.1106 - Shark Fin Sales Elimination Act of 2021 was passed into law. It banned the possession, sale, and transport of shark fins into the United States. Advocates are working to ensure strong enforcement, with NOAA Fisheries taking steps to implement the Act and confiscating illegal shark fins. But this is unlikely to solve the shark finning problem as it does not curtail international practices.

Recently, recreational and commercial fishing in areas like the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic coast have been experiencing a growing problem of shark depredation (sharks eating fish off fishing lines) leading to lost catches, gear damage, and safety concerns. Sportsfishing and conservation groups wish address this problem to balance angler needs with marine health.

Pending Legislation: S.2314 - SHARKED Act of 2025 (passed House 1/21/2025)
Sponsor: Sen. Rick Scott (FL)
Status: Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Chair: Sen. Ted Cruz (TX)