Shark Deaths Rise to 80 Million a Year Despite Global Regulations

New markets for shark meat emerge as finning regulations fail to reduce mortality rates, while offshore fisheries see a decrease in deaths.

Despite global regulations aimed at protecting sharks from finning, an estimated 80 million sharks are dying in fisheries each year, with 25 million of these being threatened species.
Legislation to prevent shark finning has not reduced the number of sharks killed and may have even caused it to increase.
The increase in shark mortality correlates with an increase in the value of the shark trade, with the global trade in shark and ray meat estimated to be worth $2.6 billion.
Shark deaths in coastal fisheries rose by 4%, largely due to new markets for shark meat opening up as a result of finning regulation.
Deaths in offshore fisheries decreased by 7%, as these vessels are no longer allowed to retain certain species onboard.