Shark Finning

Shark Finning



What is Shark Finning?



The Cruel and wasteful practice of shark finning is still legal in much of the world. The state of California is currently considering a ban on the sale, trade, and possession of shark fins in the state. the bill. Assembly Bill376, passed the State Assembly by a vote of 60 to 8, and will soon be voted on by the State Senate. If passed, California would become the most prominent US state to show its support for shark conservation, joining Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington state, where similar legislation has already passed.







Endangered Rate



Estimated 32% of open ocean sharks are threatened with extinction. Some Shark populations have decreased by 99% over the last 50 years.







What's Happening?



An estimated 100 million sharks are killed every year. 73 million of which are for shark fin soup, equivalent to 1.73 million tons of shark.







What is Finning?



Sharks are captured at sea, hauled on deck and are often still alive when their fins are sliced off. The maimed animals are usually tossed overboard to drown or bleed to death. Up to 98% of the animal is wasted, since the fins are more valuable than the rest.







The Business of Shark Finning.



Fins can sell for as much as USD $880 per pound, making it one of the most expensive seafood products in the world. $100 a bowl of shark fin soup can sell for as much as $100 USD per bowl. In Hong Kong, 89% of people surveyed have eaten shark fin soup at a wedding banquet. 145 countries engage in the trade of shark products. Biggest catchers; Spain, Singapore, Taiwan, Indonesia, United Arab Emirates, United States. 50 to 80% of fins come through Hong Kong. As many as 360 restaurants still serve shark fin soup in California. 85% of the US shark fin trade is in California.







The Importance Of Sharks.



Sharks are at the top of the food chain, their depletion can drastically affect the entire marine ecosystem. Sharks are slow growing, late maturing, long-lived and give birth to few young, making them especially vulnerable to overfishing. 2 million dollars the tourism value each individual reef shark can contribute to a coastal community over its lifetime. $108 dollars the value of a shark killed for consumption. Contrary to the myth that shark fins are nutritional, shark fins have mercury levels up to 42x higher than the safe limit. WHAT IS SHARK FINNING? The cruel and wasteful practice of shark finning is still legal in much of the world. The state of California is currently considering a ban on the sale, trade, and possession of shark fins in the state. The bill, Assembly Bill 376, passed the State Assembly by a vote of 60 to 8, and will soon be voted on by the State Senate. If passed, California would become the most prominent US state to show its support for shark conservation, joining Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington state, where similar legislation has already passed. ENDANGERED RATE WHAT'S HAPPENING? AN ESTIMATED AN ESTIMATED SOME SHARK 32%. POPULATIONS E 99% 100 HAVE DECREASED BY 73 MILLION OVER THE LAST YEARS OF OPEN OCEAN SHARKS ARE THREATENED WITH EXTINCTION MILLION SHARKS ARE KILLED EVERY YEAR OF WHICH, ARE FOR SHARK FIN SOUP EQUIVALENT TO I.73 MILLION TONS OF SHARK WHAT IS FINNING? AND ARE OFTEN STILL ALIVE WHEN THEIR FINS ARE SLICED OFF SHARKS ARE CAPTURED AT SEA UP TO 98% OF THE ANIMAL IS WASTED, SINCE THE FINS ARE MORE VALUABLE THAN THE REST HAULED ON DECK THE MAIMED ANIMALS ARE USUALLY TOSSED OVERBOARD TO DROWN OR BLEED TO DEATH THE BUSINESS OF SHARK FINS FINS CAN SELL FOR AS MUCH AS $100 145 50 to OFFINS COME THROUGH USD $880 80% HONG KONG PER POUND 85% AS MANY AS IN HONG KONG, 89% OF PEOPLE SURVEYED HAVE EATEN SHARK FIN 360 RESTAURANTS STILL SERVE SHARK FIN SOUP IN CALIFORNIA A BOWL OF SHARK FIN SOUP CAN SELL FOR AS MUCH AS $100 USD PER BOWL MAKING IT ONE OF THE MOST EXPENSIVE COUNTRIES ENGAGE IN THE TRADE OF SHARK PRODUCTS SEAFOOD PRODUCTS IN THE WORLD UNITED ARAB SINGAPORE EMIRATES UNITED STATES OF THE US SHARK FIN TRADE IS IN CALIFORNIA BIGGEST CATCHERS SPAIN SOUP AT A WEDDING BANQUET TAIWAN INDONESIA THE IMPORTANCE OF SHARKS MILLION DOLLARS THE TOURISM VALUE EACH INDIVIDUAL 80 REEF SHARK CAN CONTRIBUTE TO A COASTAL COMMUNITY OVER ITS LIFETIME Hg MERCURY $108 DOLLARS THE VALUE OF A SHARK KILLED FOR CONSUMPTION SHARKS ARE AT THE TOP OF THE FOOD CHAIN, THEIR DEPLETION CAN DRASTICALLY AFFECT THE SHARKS ARE SLOW GROWING, LATE MATURING, LONG-LIVED AND GIVE BIRTH TO FEW YOUNG, MAKING THEM ESPECIALLY VULNERABLE TO OVERFISHING CONTRARY TO THE MYTH THAT SHARK FINS ARE NUTRITIONAL ,SHARK FINS HAVE MERCURY LEVELS UP TO 12Y HIGHER THAN THE SAFE LIMIT ENTIRE MARINE ECOSYSTEM DESIGNED BY: Kiki Karpus SOURCES: WILDAID International Union for Conservation of Nature Australian Institute of Marine Science Bloom Association Animal Welfare Institute Demonfish by Juliet Eilperin Pew Environment Group Sharksavers WHAT IS SHARK FINNING? The cruel and wasteful practice of shark finning is still legal in much of the world. The state of California is currently considering a ban on the sale, trade, and possession of shark fins in the state. The bill, Assembly Bill 376, passed the State Assembly by a vote of 60 to 8, and will soon be voted on by the State Senate. If passed, California would become the most prominent US state to show its support for shark conservation, joining Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington state, where similar legislation has already passed. ENDANGERED RATE WHAT'S HAPPENING? AN ESTIMATED AN ESTIMATED SOME SHARK 32%. POPULATIONS 三 E99 % 100 HAVE DECREASED BY 73 MILLION OVER THE LAST YEARS OF OPEN OCEAN SHARKS ARE THREATENED WITH EXTINCTION MILLION SHARKS ARE KILLED EVERY YEAR OF WHICH, ARE FOR SHARK FIN SOUP EQUIVALENT TO I.73 MILLION TONS OF SHARK WHAT IS FINNING? AND ARE OFTEN STILL ALIVE WHEN THEIR FINS ARE SLICED OFF SHARKS ARE CAPTURED AT SEA UP TO 98% OF THE ANIMAL IS WASTED, SINCE THE FINS ARE MORE VALUABLE THAN THE REST HAULED ON DECK THE MAIMED ANIMALS ARE USUALLY TOSSED OVERBOARD TO DROWN OR BLEED TO DEATH THE BUSINESS OF SHARK FINS FINS CAN SELL FOR AS MUCH AS 24 $100 145 50 to OFFINS COME THROUGH USD $880 80% HONG KONG PER POUND 85% AS MANY AS IN HONG KONG, 89% OF PEOPLE SURVEYED HAVE EATEN SHARK FIN 360 RESTAURANTS STILL SERVE SHARK FIN SOUP IN CALIFORNIA A BOWL OF SHARK FIN SOUP CAN SELL FOR AS MUCH AS $100 USD PER BOWL MAKING IT ONE OF THE MOST EXPENSIVE COUNTRIES ENGAGE IN THE TRADE OF SHARK PRODUCTS SEAFOOD PRODUCTS IN THE WORLD UNITED ARAB SINGAPORE EMIRATES UNITED STATES OF THE US SHARK FIN TRADE IS IN CALIFORNIA BIGGEST CATCHERS SPAIN SOUP AT A WEDDING BANQUET TAIWAN INDONESIA THE IMPORTANCE OF SHARKS MILLION DOLLARS THE TOURISM VALUE EACH INDIVIDUAL 80 REEF SHARK CAN CONTRIBUTE TO A COASTAL COMMUNITY OVER ITS LIFETIME Hg MERCURY $108 DOLLARS THE VALUE OF A SHARK KILLED FOR CONSUMPTION SHARKS ARE AT THE TOP OF THE FOOD CHAIN, THEIR DEPLETION CAN DRASTICALLY AFFECT THE SHARKS ARE SLOW GROWING, LATE MATURING, LONG-LIVED AND GIVE BIRTH TO FEW YOUNG, MAKING THEM ESPECIALLY VULNERABLE TO OVERFISHING CONTRARY TO THE MYTH THAT SHARK FINS ARE NUTRITIONAL ,SHARK FINS HAVE MERCURY LEVELS UP TO 12Y HIGHER THAN THE SAFE LIMIT ENTIRE MARINE ECOSYSTEM DESIGNED BY: Kiki Karpus SOURCES: WILDAID International Union for Conservation of Nature Australian Institute of Marine Science Bloom Association Animal Welfare Institute Demonfish by Juliet Eilperin Pew Environment Group Sharksavers WHAT IS SHARK FINNING? The cruel and wasteful practice of shark finning is still legal in much of the world. The state of California is currently considering a ban on the sale, trade, and possession of shark fins in the state. The bill, Assembly Bill 376, passed the State Assembly by a vote of 60 to 8, and will soon be voted on by the State Senate. If passed, California would become the most prominent US state to show its support for shark conservation, joining Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington state, where similar legislation has already passed. ENDANGERED RATE WHAT'S HAPPENING? AN ESTIMATED AN ESTIMATED SOME SHARK 32%. POPULATIONS 三 E99 % 100 HAVE DECREASED BY 73 MILLION OVER THE LAST YEARS OF OPEN OCEAN SHARKS ARE THREATENED WITH EXTINCTION MILLION SHARKS ARE KILLED EVERY YEAR OF WHICH, ARE FOR SHARK FIN SOUP EQUIVALENT TO I.73 MILLION TONS OF SHARK WHAT IS FINNING? AND ARE OFTEN STILL ALIVE WHEN THEIR FINS ARE SLICED OFF SHARKS ARE CAPTURED AT SEA UP TO 98% OF THE ANIMAL IS WASTED, SINCE THE FINS ARE MORE VALUABLE THAN THE REST HAULED ON DECK THE MAIMED ANIMALS ARE USUALLY TOSSED OVERBOARD TO DROWN OR BLEED TO DEATH THE BUSINESS OF SHARK FINS FINS CAN SELL FOR AS MUCH AS 24 $100 145 50 to OFFINS COME THROUGH USD $880 80% HONG KONG PER POUND 85% AS MANY AS IN HONG KONG, 89% OF PEOPLE SURVEYED HAVE EATEN SHARK FIN 360 RESTAURANTS STILL SERVE SHARK FIN SOUP IN CALIFORNIA A BOWL OF SHARK FIN SOUP CAN SELL FOR AS MUCH AS $100 USD PER BOWL MAKING IT ONE OF THE MOST EXPENSIVE COUNTRIES ENGAGE IN THE TRADE OF SHARK PRODUCTS SEAFOOD PRODUCTS IN THE WORLD UNITED ARAB SINGAPORE EMIRATES UNITED STATES OF THE US SHARK FIN TRADE IS IN CALIFORNIA BIGGEST CATCHERS SPAIN SOUP AT A WEDDING BANQUET TAIWAN INDONESIA THE IMPORTANCE OF SHARKS MILLION DOLLARS THE TOURISM VALUE EACH INDIVIDUAL 80 REEF SHARK CAN CONTRIBUTE TO A COASTAL COMMUNITY OVER ITS LIFETIME Hg MERCURY $108 DOLLARS THE VALUE OF A SHARK KILLED FOR CONSUMPTION SHARKS ARE AT THE TOP OF THE FOOD CHAIN, THEIR DEPLETION CAN DRASTICALLY AFFECT THE SHARKS ARE SLOW GROWING, LATE MATURING, LONG-LIVED AND GIVE BIRTH TO FEW YOUNG, MAKING THEM ESPECIALLY VULNERABLE TO OVERFISHING CONTRARY TO THE MYTH THAT SHARK FINS ARE NUTRITIONAL ,SHARK FINS HAVE MERCURY LEVELS UP TO 12Y HIGHER THAN THE SAFE LIMIT ENTIRE MARINE ECOSYSTEM DESIGNED BY: Kiki Karpus SOURCES: WILDAID International Union for Conservation of Nature Australian Institute of Marine Science Bloom Association Animal Welfare Institute Demonfish by Juliet Eilperin Pew Environment Group Sharksavers WHAT IS SHARK FINNING? The cruel and wasteful practice of shark finning is still legal in much of the world. The state of California is currently considering a ban on the sale, trade, and possession of shark fins in the state. The bill, Assembly Bill 376, passed the State Assembly by a vote of 60 to 8, and will soon be voted on by the State Senate. If passed, California would become the most prominent US state to show its support for shark conservation, joining Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington state, where similar legislation has already passed. ENDANGERED RATE WHAT'S HAPPENING? AN ESTIMATED AN ESTIMATED SOME SHARK 32%. POPULATIONS 三 E99 % 100 HAVE DECREASED BY 73 MILLION OVER THE LAST YEARS OF OPEN OCEAN SHARKS ARE THREATENED WITH EXTINCTION MILLION SHARKS ARE KILLED EVERY YEAR OF WHICH, ARE FOR SHARK FIN SOUP EQUIVALENT TO I.73 MILLION TONS OF SHARK WHAT IS FINNING? AND ARE OFTEN STILL ALIVE WHEN THEIR FINS ARE SLICED OFF SHARKS ARE CAPTURED AT SEA UP TO 98% OF THE ANIMAL IS WASTED, SINCE THE FINS ARE MORE VALUABLE THAN THE REST HAULED ON DECK THE MAIMED ANIMALS ARE USUALLY TOSSED OVERBOARD TO DROWN OR BLEED TO DEATH THE BUSINESS OF SHARK FINS FINS CAN SELL FOR AS MUCH AS 24 $100 145 50 to OFFINS COME THROUGH USD $880 80% HONG KONG PER POUND 85% AS MANY AS IN HONG KONG, 89% OF PEOPLE SURVEYED HAVE EATEN SHARK FIN 360 RESTAURANTS STILL SERVE SHARK FIN SOUP IN CALIFORNIA A BOWL OF SHARK FIN SOUP CAN SELL FOR AS MUCH AS $100 USD PER BOWL MAKING IT ONE OF THE MOST EXPENSIVE COUNTRIES ENGAGE IN THE TRADE OF SHARK PRODUCTS SEAFOOD PRODUCTS IN THE WORLD UNITED ARAB SINGAPORE EMIRATES UNITED STATES OF THE US SHARK FIN TRADE IS IN CALIFORNIA BIGGEST CATCHERS SPAIN SOUP AT A WEDDING BANQUET TAIWAN INDONESIA THE IMPORTANCE OF SHARKS MILLION DOLLARS THE TOURISM VALUE EACH INDIVIDUAL 80 REEF SHARK CAN CONTRIBUTE TO A COASTAL COMMUNITY OVER ITS LIFETIME Hg MERCURY $108 DOLLARS THE VALUE OF A SHARK KILLED FOR CONSUMPTION SHARKS ARE AT THE TOP OF THE FOOD CHAIN, THEIR DEPLETION CAN DRASTICALLY AFFECT THE SHARKS ARE SLOW GROWING, LATE MATURING, LONG-LIVED AND GIVE BIRTH TO FEW YOUNG, MAKING THEM ESPECIALLY VULNERABLE TO OVERFISHING CONTRARY TO THE MYTH THAT SHARK FINS ARE NUTRITIONAL ,SHARK FINS HAVE MERCURY LEVELS UP TO 12Y HIGHER THAN THE SAFE LIMIT ENTIRE MARINE ECOSYSTEM DESIGNED BY: Kiki Karpus SOURCES: WILDAID International Union for Conservation of Nature Australian Institute of Marine Science Bloom Association Animal Welfare Institute Demonfish by Juliet Eilperin Pew Environment Group Sharksavers WHAT IS SHARK FINNING? The cruel and wasteful practice of shark finning is still legal in much of the world. The state of California is currently considering a ban on the sale, trade, and possession of shark fins in the state. The bill, Assembly Bill 376, passed the State Assembly by a vote of 60 to 8, and will soon be voted on by the State Senate. If passed, California would become the most prominent US state to show its support for shark conservation, joining Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington state, where similar legislation has already passed. ENDANGERED RATE WHAT'S HAPPENING? AN ESTIMATED AN ESTIMATED SOME SHARK 32%. POPULATIONS 三 E99 % 100 HAVE DECREASED BY 73 MILLION OVER THE LAST YEARS OF OPEN OCEAN SHARKS ARE THREATENED WITH EXTINCTION MILLION SHARKS ARE KILLED EVERY YEAR OF WHICH, ARE FOR SHARK FIN SOUP EQUIVALENT TO I.73 MILLION TONS OF SHARK WHAT IS FINNING? AND ARE OFTEN STILL ALIVE WHEN THEIR FINS ARE SLICED OFF SHARKS ARE CAPTURED AT SEA UP TO 98% OF THE ANIMAL IS WASTED, SINCE THE FINS ARE MORE VALUABLE THAN THE REST HAULED ON DECK THE MAIMED ANIMALS ARE USUALLY TOSSED OVERBOARD TO DROWN OR BLEED TO DEATH THE BUSINESS OF SHARK FINS FINS CAN SELL FOR AS MUCH AS 24 $100 145 50 to OFFINS COME THROUGH USD $880 80% HONG KONG PER POUND 85% AS MANY AS IN HONG KONG, 89% OF PEOPLE SURVEYED HAVE EATEN SHARK FIN 360 RESTAURANTS STILL SERVE SHARK FIN SOUP IN CALIFORNIA A BOWL OF SHARK FIN SOUP CAN SELL FOR AS MUCH AS $100 USD PER BOWL MAKING IT ONE OF THE MOST EXPENSIVE COUNTRIES ENGAGE IN THE TRADE OF SHARK PRODUCTS SEAFOOD PRODUCTS IN THE WORLD UNITED ARAB SINGAPORE EMIRATES UNITED STATES OF THE US SHARK FIN TRADE IS IN CALIFORNIA BIGGEST CATCHERS SPAIN SOUP AT A WEDDING BANQUET TAIWAN INDONESIA THE IMPORTANCE OF SHARKS MILLION DOLLARS THE TOURISM VALUE EACH INDIVIDUAL 80 REEF SHARK CAN CONTRIBUTE TO A COASTAL COMMUNITY OVER ITS LIFETIME Hg MERCURY $108 DOLLARS THE VALUE OF A SHARK KILLED FOR CONSUMPTION SHARKS ARE AT THE TOP OF THE FOOD CHAIN, THEIR DEPLETION CAN DRASTICALLY AFFECT THE SHARKS ARE SLOW GROWING, LATE MATURING, LONG-LIVED AND GIVE BIRTH TO FEW YOUNG, MAKING THEM ESPECIALLY VULNERABLE TO OVERFISHING CONTRARY TO THE MYTH THAT SHARK FINS ARE NUTRITIONAL ,SHARK FINS HAVE MERCURY LEVELS UP TO 12Y HIGHER THAN THE SAFE LIMIT ENTIRE MARINE ECOSYSTEM DESIGNED BY: Kiki Karpus SOURCES: WILDAID International Union for Conservation of Nature Australian Institute of Marine Science Bloom Association Animal Welfare Institute Demonfish by Juliet Eilperin Pew Environment Group Sharksavers WHAT IS SHARK FINNING? The cruel and wasteful practice of shark finning is still legal in much of the world. The state of California is currently considering a ban on the sale, trade, and possession of shark fins in the state. The bill, Assembly Bill 376, passed the State Assembly by a vote of 60 to 8, and will soon be voted on by the State Senate. If passed, California would become the most prominent US state to show its support for shark conservation, joining Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington state, where similar legislation has already passed. ENDANGERED RATE WHAT'S HAPPENING? AN ESTIMATED AN ESTIMATED SOME SHARK 32%. POPULATIONS 三 E99 % 100 HAVE DECREASED BY 73 MILLION OVER THE LAST YEARS OF OPEN OCEAN SHARKS ARE THREATENED WITH EXTINCTION MILLION SHARKS ARE KILLED EVERY YEAR OF WHICH, ARE FOR SHARK FIN SOUP EQUIVALENT TO I.73 MILLION TONS OF SHARK WHAT IS FINNING? AND ARE OFTEN STILL ALIVE WHEN THEIR FINS ARE SLICED OFF SHARKS ARE CAPTURED AT SEA UP TO 98% OF THE ANIMAL IS WASTED, SINCE THE FINS ARE MORE VALUABLE THAN THE REST HAULED ON DECK THE MAIMED ANIMALS ARE USUALLY TOSSED OVERBOARD TO DROWN OR BLEED TO DEATH THE BUSINESS OF SHARK FINS FINS CAN SELL FOR AS MUCH AS 24 $100 145 50 to OFFINS COME THROUGH USD $880 80% HONG KONG PER POUND 85% AS MANY AS IN HONG KONG, 89% OF PEOPLE SURVEYED HAVE EATEN SHARK FIN 360 RESTAURANTS STILL SERVE SHARK FIN SOUP IN CALIFORNIA A BOWL OF SHARK FIN SOUP CAN SELL FOR AS MUCH AS $100 USD PER BOWL MAKING IT ONE OF THE MOST EXPENSIVE COUNTRIES ENGAGE IN THE TRADE OF SHARK PRODUCTS SEAFOOD PRODUCTS IN THE WORLD UNITED ARAB SINGAPORE EMIRATES UNITED STATES OF THE US SHARK FIN TRADE IS IN CALIFORNIA BIGGEST CATCHERS SPAIN SOUP AT A WEDDING BANQUET TAIWAN INDONESIA THE IMPORTANCE OF SHARKS MILLION DOLLARS THE TOURISM VALUE EACH INDIVIDUAL 80 REEF SHARK CAN CONTRIBUTE TO A COASTAL COMMUNITY OVER ITS LIFETIME Hg MERCURY $108 DOLLARS THE VALUE OF A SHARK KILLED FOR CONSUMPTION SHARKS ARE AT THE TOP OF THE FOOD CHAIN, THEIR DEPLETION CAN DRASTICALLY AFFECT THE SHARKS ARE SLOW GROWING, LATE MATURING, LONG-LIVED AND GIVE BIRTH TO FEW YOUNG, MAKING THEM ESPECIALLY VULNERABLE TO OVERFISHING CONTRARY TO THE MYTH THAT SHARK FINS ARE NUTRITIONAL ,SHARK FINS HAVE MERCURY LEVELS UP TO 12Y HIGHER THAN THE SAFE LIMIT ENTIRE MARINE ECOSYSTEM DESIGNED BY: Kiki Karpus SOURCES: WILDAID International Union for Conservation of Nature Australian Institute of Marine Science Bloom Association Animal Welfare Institute Demonfish by Juliet Eilperin Pew Environment Group Sharksavers WHAT IS SHARK FINNING? The cruel and wasteful practice of shark finning is still legal in much of the world. The state of California is currently considering a ban on the sale, trade, and possession of shark fins in the state. The bill, Assembly Bill 376, passed the State Assembly by a vote of 60 to 8, and will soon be voted on by the State Senate. If passed, California would become the most prominent US state to show its support for shark conservation, joining Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington state, where similar legislation has already passed. ENDANGERED RATE WHAT'S HAPPENING? AN ESTIMATED AN ESTIMATED SOME SHARK 32%. POPULATIONS 三 E99 % 100 HAVE DECREASED BY 73 MILLION OVER THE LAST YEARS OF OPEN OCEAN SHARKS ARE THREATENED WITH EXTINCTION MILLION SHARKS ARE KILLED EVERY YEAR OF WHICH, ARE FOR SHARK FIN SOUP EQUIVALENT TO I.73 MILLION TONS OF SHARK WHAT IS FINNING? AND ARE OFTEN STILL ALIVE WHEN THEIR FINS ARE SLICED OFF SHARKS ARE CAPTURED AT SEA UP TO 98% OF THE ANIMAL IS WASTED, SINCE THE FINS ARE MORE VALUABLE THAN THE REST HAULED ON DECK THE MAIMED ANIMALS ARE USUALLY TOSSED OVERBOARD TO DROWN OR BLEED TO DEATH THE BUSINESS OF SHARK FINS FINS CAN SELL FOR AS MUCH AS 24 $100 145 50 to OFFINS COME THROUGH USD $880 80% HONG KONG PER POUND 85% AS MANY AS IN HONG KONG, 89% OF PEOPLE SURVEYED HAVE EATEN SHARK FIN 360 RESTAURANTS STILL SERVE SHARK FIN SOUP IN CALIFORNIA A BOWL OF SHARK FIN SOUP CAN SELL FOR AS MUCH AS $100 USD PER BOWL MAKING IT ONE OF THE MOST EXPENSIVE COUNTRIES ENGAGE IN THE TRADE OF SHARK PRODUCTS SEAFOOD PRODUCTS IN THE WORLD UNITED ARAB SINGAPORE EMIRATES UNITED STATES OF THE US SHARK FIN TRADE IS IN CALIFORNIA BIGGEST CATCHERS SPAIN SOUP AT A WEDDING BANQUET TAIWAN INDONESIA THE IMPORTANCE OF SHARKS MILLION DOLLARS THE TOURISM VALUE EACH INDIVIDUAL 80 REEF SHARK CAN CONTRIBUTE TO A COASTAL COMMUNITY OVER ITS LIFETIME Hg MERCURY $108 DOLLARS THE VALUE OF A SHARK KILLED FOR CONSUMPTION SHARKS ARE AT THE TOP OF THE FOOD CHAIN, THEIR DEPLETION CAN DRASTICALLY AFFECT THE SHARKS ARE SLOW GROWING, LATE MATURING, LONG-LIVED AND GIVE BIRTH TO FEW YOUNG, MAKING THEM ESPECIALLY VULNERABLE TO OVERFISHING CONTRARY TO THE MYTH THAT SHARK FINS ARE NUTRITIONAL ,SHARK FINS HAVE MERCURY LEVELS UP TO 12Y HIGHER THAN THE SAFE LIMIT ENTIRE MARINE ECOSYSTEM DESIGNED BY: Kiki Karpus SOURCES: WILDAID International Union for Conservation of Nature Australian Institute of Marine Science Bloom Association Animal Welfare Institute Demonfish by Juliet Eilperin Pew Environment Group Sharksavers