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 finning killing endangered species - in pictures
