Biden to make shark finning illegal in the US

Bipartisan act outlaws domestic shark fin trade that has pushed hundreds of species on to the endangered list

Shark finning entails cutting off a shark's fin, often while the animal is still alive, and dumping it back into the sea to slowly die. Paul Driscoll / The National

Delegates at a global summit on trade this year approved the protection of 50 more shark species, a move that could drastically reduce the shark fin trade. AFP

Lemon sharks are yanked from the sea sometimes solely for their fins. AFP

Harvested shark fins set out to dry are displayed on a street in Hong Kong’s Sheung Wan area. AFP

Shark fins at a fishing port in Banda Aceh, Indonesia. AFP

Activists and scientists are advocating restrictions that could drastically reduce the lucrative and cruel shark fin trade. AFP

Large shark populations are declining globally and many species are threatened with extinction. AFP

Pieces of shark fin dry on the rooftop of a factory in Hong Kong. Reuters

Hong Kong's shark fin trade may face its biggest shake-up in years if conservationists get their way. AFP

A woman visits a shop that sells sharks fin, dried seafood and other products in Hong Kong. AFP

Shark fins are displayed for sale at a market in Hong Kong. AFP

Shark fins are particularly sought after for traditional Chinese medicine and shark fin soup, which is considered a delicacy in Asia. AFP

Since they have a low reproduction rate, overfishing is a major threat to tiger shark populations. AFP

The main threats to the common guitarfish are commercial fishing to supply the shark fin trade. AFP

Harvesting shark fins is illegal in 12 US states. AFP

Shark costumes with their fins cut off lie on the ground during a protest against the shark fin trade at the UN Ocean Conference in Lisbon. AP

Shark fin soup is an Asian dish associated with wealth and festivity. AFP

Authorities confiscated a shipment of 3,493 shark fins earlier this year which were to be illegally trafficked to Hong Kong from Colombia. Reuters

Workers cut shark fins at a fish market in Dubai. AP

When a living shark loses its fin, they are unable to swim effectively and will sink to the bottom of the ocean, suffocate and die. The National

A large number of sharks have been confiscated from fish markets across the UAE, many of which have had their fins cut off. Photo: Dubai Municipality

Shark fin soup will soon be unavailable in the US, once President Joe Biden signs this year's national defence bill, which includes a provision that would outlaw shark finning.

“Congress has taken shark fins off the menu,” Wayne Pacelle, president of Animal Wellness Action and the Centre for a Humane Economy, said in a statement on Friday.

The Shark Fin Sales Elimination Act is a part of the National Defence Authorisation Act, or NDAA, that Congress fully passed on Thursday and which is currently on its way to Mr Biden's desk for a final signature.

Shark fins are used in the Chinese delicacy shark fin soup as well as in traditional Asian medicine.

The bill was a bipartisan effort, with three Republicans and one Democrat introducing the bill. It was supported by 300 co-sponsors.

“Shark finning conjures up cruelty and wanton destruction of the medieval era,” Mr Pacelle said.

“But it’s more of a modern evil and the United States has determined this trade is no longer legal in our nation.”

A study published in Nature in 2021 found that the global shark population has declined 71 per cent since 1970.

“It’s a great day for sharks,” Oceana vice president for the US Beth Lowell said in a statement.

“The worldwide demand for shark fins is driving many shark populations towards extinction, with the fins from up to 73 million sharks ending up in the global fin trade every year.”

A shark's fins are often removed while the animal is still alive. It is then tossed back into the ocean, where the rudderless fish is unable to swim, leading to a slow death as it sinks to the bottom of the ocean and suffocates.

Shark fin soup is considered a delicacy in Chinese cuisine. The dish is associated with wealth and prosperity, and is often served on special occasions such as weddings or the Lunar New Year. The shark fin itself is tasteless.